Individual volunteering
Through volunteering with the Brotherhood, you can help us create an inclusive, just and sustainable society. Sharing your time, talents and networks, can make a positive difference in the lives of vulnerable Australians and also give you a great sense of satisfaction.
We always have volunteering opportunities for which you don’t need qualifications, and others for which more specialised skills are required. Let us know the areas you are most passionate about and the talents you’d like to share. We’re committed to matching your interests with our activities.
Please take the time to look at our current volunteering vacancies below, or if you would like to discuss your specialist skills with us, phone (03) 9483 1390 or email us at volunteer@nullbsl.org.au .
Current volunteering vacancies
- Shop Assistant - Community Stores
- Shop Assistant - Hunter Gatherer
- Furniture Designer
- Furniture Jockey - Moonee Ponds
- Furniture Removal Coach
- Book Specialist - Shop Assistant
- Cook
- Sorter / Packer
- Activity Companion (Southern)
- Computer Tutor
- Activity Companions (Northern)
- Inventory Management Assistant
- E - Store Powerseller
- Mentor - Stepping Stones
- Homework Club Tutor - Frankston
- Professional Mentors
Shop Assistant - Community Stores
REPORTING TO: Store Manager
LOCATIONS: Various - see below
HOURS: Mon - Sun, business hours
DATES: Ongoing
- Bentleigh
- Brunswick
- Croydon
- Deer Park
- Eltham
- Footscray
- Frankston
- Glen Huntly
- Greensborough
- Grovedale
- Ivanhoe
- Knox
- Melbourne City
- Moonee Ponds
- Mount Waverley
- Northcote
- Ormond
- Pakenham
- Seaford
- Watsonia
Click here for Community Store address and opening hours.
Better known as the Brotherhood of St Laurence’s op shops, our community stores sell donated furniture, clothing and other household items. Our stores in Brunswick, Croydon, Deer Park, Geelong and Moonee Ponds also stock white goods. As well as selling low-cost goods to families and bargain hunters, they also offer a place for community connection.
The Retail Stores Group is part of the Social Enterprises Division of the Brotherhood of St Laurence, which works to provide revenue for the invaluable client services, advocacy and research work undertaken by the Brotherhood of St Laurence. Our social enterprises also encourage and promote environmental sustainability through recycling.
We are currently seeking enthusiastic and committed volunteers to provide a high-quality customer service experience to the public, and to support paid and volunteer staff in the day-to-day operations of the store.
Duties include:
- Welcoming customers into the shop, and assisting with any specific needs
- Sorting, cleaning, tagging, pricing, merchandising, selling, and ordering stock
- Ensuring all areas are clean including selling area, sorting area, delivery area, bathroom, kitchen and footpath
- High-level customer service
- Cooperating with colleagues to enhance the team effort
Requirements:
Time commitment can be as little as half a day a week, with full training provided in a friendly and supportive environment.
For further information about the position please call Volunteer Services on 03 9483 1390, or email your expression of interest and resume (optional) to volunteer@nullbsl.org.au specifying which store location would best suit you.
Shop Assistant - HUNTER GATHERER
REPORTING TO: Store Manager
LOCATIONS: Various - see below
HOURS: Mon - Sun, business hours
DATES: Ongoing
- Fitzroy - 274 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
- Melbourne City – Ground Floor, Royal Arcade, Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne
- St Kilda – 82a Acland Street, St Kilda
When it comes to all things vintage, Hunter Gatherer stands out from the pack. Every frock, blouse, handbag, skirt, coat, trouser, hat and shoe at Hunter Gatherer is specially handpicked from the hundreds of thousands of wardrobe items donated each year to the Brotherhood of St Laurence’s 23 community stores across Victoria.
Hunter Gather is part of the Social Enterprises Division of the Brotherhood of St Laurence, which works to provide revenue for the invaluable client services, advocacy and research work undertaken by the Brotherhood of St Laurence. Our social enterprises also encourage and promote environmental sustainability through recycling.
We are currently seeking enthusiastic and committed volunteers to provide a high-quality customer service experience to the public, and to support paid and volunteer staff in the day-to-day operations of the store.
Duties include:
- Welcoming customers into the shop, and assisting with any specific needs
- Sorting, cleaning, tagging, pricing, merchandising, selling, and ordering stock
- Ensuring all areas are clean including selling area, sorting area, delivery area, bathroom, kitchen and footpath
- High-level customer service
- Cooperating with colleagues to enhance the team effort
Requirements:
Time commitment can be as little as half a day a week with training provided in a friendly and supportive environment.
For further information about the position please call Volunteer Services on 03 9483 1390, or email your expression of interest and resume (optional) to volunteer@nullbsl.org.au specifying which store location would best suit you.
Furniture Designer
REPORTING TO: HSS Manager
LOCATION: 25 Brunswick Road, Brunswick East 3057.
HOURS: Negotiable; Monday to Friday during business hours
DATE: Ongoing
The Brotherhood of St Laurence is part of a consortium of organisations that work to assist refugees to settle in Australia with a world-leading program of activities. As part of this consortium the Brotherhood purchases, delivers and installs household furniture, bedding and kitchenware into the homes of new arrivals.
We are currently seeking a talented furniture designer to work with us to meet the challenge of providing practical, quality home furniture at a price that will allow us to serve as many refugees as possible. This will involve assisting us to source these items by designing specs or designing pieces for bespoke production.
Duties include:
- Creating specifications to support requests for quotation and procurement
- Furniture design
- Cooperating with colleagues to enhance the team effort
Requirements:
- Furniture design experience or training
- An understanding of cost drivers in furniture manufacturing
- Understanding of and sympathy with the values and ideals of the Brotherhood of St Laurence
- Willingness to undergo a Police Check
Time commitment can be as little as half a day a week. Induction will be provided in a friendly and supportive environment.
For further information about the position please phone Volunteer Services on 03 9483 1390 or email your expression of interest to volunteer@nullbsl.org.au . Please include your resume (optional) and specify your availability.
Furniture Jockey - Moonee Ponds
REPORTING TO: Store Manager
LOCATION: 24 Margaret Street, Moonee Ponds.
HOURS: ½ to full day shift available (Monday to Saturday)
DATE: Ongoing
The newly refurbished Moonee Ponds store sells good quality recycled clothing including our Hunter Gatherer range of vintage product as well as shoes, books, manchester, furniture and fridges.
We are currently seeking furniture jockeys who are motivated, customer service orientated, and enjoy physical work.
Duties include:
- Moving / placing furniture around the store as directed
- Loading and unloading deliveries and pickups from the store
- Keeping the furniture area tidy
- Being polite and helpful to customers
- Cooperating with colleagues to enhance the team effort.
Requirements:
- Physically fit and able to move furniture around the store in a safe manner
- Awareness of and the ability to learn Occupational Health and Safety, and manual handling procedures
- High quality people skills, communication skills and the ability to work well in a team
- Sensitivity to the needs of people from various economic, social and cultural backgrounds
- Enthusiasm, reliability and commitment to the objectives of the store and the Brotherhood of St Laurence
- Willingness to undergo a Police Check
Time commitment can be as little as half a day a week with training provided in a friendly and supported environment.
For further information about the position please phone Volunteer Services on 03 9483 1390 or email your expression of interest to volunteer@nullbsl.org.au . Please include your resume (optional) and specify your availability.
Furniture Removal Coach
REPORTING TO: Transport Team Leader
LOCATION: 25 Brunswick Road, Brunswick East, VIC 3057
HOURS / DAYS: 1 day per week, negotiable, 7.30am – 3.00pm
DATES: Short-term
Social Enterprises is one of eight divisions of the Brotherhood of St Laurence, and has responsibility for creating and developing enterprising projects and ventures that maximize the financial contributions to the organisation.
The transport division serves all parts of Social Enterprises by transporting furniture and other goods, to and from homes, warehouses and stores. Transport workers are an interface to the community for the Brotherhood.
We are currently seeking an ex-removalist or retiree to coach / train our transport workers in the safe packing of furniture onto trucks, use of blankets and ropes, the negotiation of furniture through awkward gaps, in a safe manner.
Duties include:
- Coach transport workers in key skills including safe packing of furniture onto trucks, use of blankets and ropes, the ability to negotiate furniture through awkward gaps and the avoidance of injury
- Review truck crew’s progress over time to reinforce the training
- Make recommendations to trucking team leader regarding equipment type and levels, OH&S
- Cooperate with colleagues to enhance teamwork and results
- Adhere to all Brotherhood policies relating to Equal Employment Opportunity, OH&S and the Brotherhood of St Laurence Code of Ethical Behaviour
Requirements:
- Good communication skills, and the ability to relay feedback is a positive and constructive manner
- Background and knowledge of removal techniques and manual handling / OH&S
- Understanding of, and empathy with, the values of the Brotherhood
- Satisfactory Police Check
Time commitment can be as little as one day a week, with full induction provided in a friendly and supportive environment.
For further information about the position please call Volunteer Services on 03 9483 1390 or email your expression of interest to volunteer@nullbsl.org.au.
Book Specialist - Shop Assistant
REPORTING TO: Store Manager
LOCATION: Croydon, Moonee Ponds or Brunswick
HOURS: During store opening hours
DATES: Ongoing
The Retail Stores Group is part of the Social Enterprises Division. The retail network was originally started as a fundraising venture to support and subsidise the community work associated with the Brotherhood’s vision of an Australia Free of Poverty.
We are currently looking for volunteer, book-specific shop assistants to act as Book Specialist in one of our retail stores. This will be an important liaison role between the Brotherhood Books head office and the retail store.
Duties include:
- Pricing, categorising, shelving and tidying books
- Ensuring all areas of the store are kept clean and tidy
- Assisting customers as required
Requirements:
- An interest in or experience with books preferred, but not essential as full training will be provided
- High-quality people skills, communication skills and the ability to work well in a team
- Sensitivity to the needs of people from various economic, social and cultural backgrounds
- Enthusiasm, reliability and commitment to the objectives of the store and the Brotherhood of St Laurence
- Understanding of and sympathy with the values and ideals of the BSL
- Willingness to undergo a Police Check
Time commitment can be as little as half a day a week, with full training provided in a friendly and supportive environment.
For further information about the position please call Volunteer Services on 03 9483 1390 or email your expression of interest to volunteer@nullbsl.org.au.
Cook
REPORTING TO: Banksia Program Coordinator – Amira
LOCATION: Carrum Downs VIC 3201
HOURS: Fortnightly on Thursdays, 10am – 12.30pm
DATE: Ongoing
Banksia Day Programs in Carrum Downs provides social support for older people and those with a disability who are experiencing social isolation. The program offers leisure programs that promote friendship and personal development.
The activities at Banksia Carrum Downs have a social focus. They include art and music therapy, active mind games, gardening and outdoor pursuits. A weekly Men’s Shed program gives men a chance to work together with timber and tools.
We are currently seeking a suitable volunteer with food-handling experience, to take responsibility for heating and cooking food, taking and recording food temperatures, ensuring the food-safety program is adhered to, and overall maintaining a clean and hygienic kitchen. The successful applicant must have at least a Certificate in Food-Handling.
Duties include:
- Heating and cooking food
- Recording temperatures of food
- Ensuring that the food safety program is adhered to
- Maintain a clean kitchen
Requirements:
- Must hold at least a Food-Handling Certificate, or higher
- Enthusiasm, reliability and commitment
- Ability to work independently
- Understanding of and sympathy with the values and ideals of the BSL
- Willingness to undergo a Police Check
For further information about the position please phone Volunteer Services on (03) 9483 1390 or email your expression of interest and resume to volunteer@nullbsl.org.au
Sorter / Packer
REPORTING TO: Sorting Facility Manager - Nilgun
LOCATION: 25 Brunswick Road, Brunswick East
HOURS: Facility operates Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm
DATE: Short term or ongoing - negotiable
The Retail Stores Group is part of the Social Enterprises Division which works to provide revenue for the invaluable client services, advocacy and research work undertaken by the Brotherhood of St Laurence. Our social enterprises also encourage and promote environmental sustainability through recycling.
The Sorting Facility supports the Brotherhood’s Retail Stores Group through the collection and sorting of donated products.
We currently need enthusiastic volunteers to assist with the sorting of ‘raw’ donations into different categories and qualities.
Duties:
- Identifying and sorting donated stock
- Hanging or tagging as required
- Packing into boxes
Requirements:
- Physical fitness
- The ability to work well in a team, and to follow instructions
- The ability to identify clothing genders
- Interest or knowledge of fashion and bric-a-brac preferred
- Enthusiasm, reliability and commitment to the objectives of the store and the Brotherhood of St Laurence
- Willingness to undergo a police check
Time commitment can be as little as half a day a week with training provided in a friendly and supportive environment.
For further information please call Volunteer Services on 9483 1390, or to apply email your expression of interest and resume to volunteer@nullbsl.org.au
Activity Companion – Movie Group / Day Trip
Reporting to: Social Inclusion Program Coordinator (Southern)
Location: Frankston or Rosebud
Hours: 3rd Tuesday of every month
Date: Ongoing
The Social Inclusion Program assists older people and people with disabilities maintain connections to family, friends, neighbours and the wider community as a strategy for improving health and wellbeing.
The program is committed to assisting people pursue their recreational and learning goals by providing access to interest or hobby groups that can improve self esteem, confidence and create pleasurable opportunities to connect with like minded peers.
Duties include:
- Supporting the supervisor in the facilitation of a small group of Brotherhood clients
- Providing conversation and companionship to participants who are often socially isolated and lonely to ensure clients have a positive experience
- Assisting clients with their individual needs including purchasing tickets / food, getting in and out of transport
- Collecting and recording donations, completing attendance sheets
Requirements:
- A high degree of professionalism and effective interpersonal skills in order to be able to communicate effectively with BSL clients, staff and stake holders.
- Ability to be flexible, to be able to work as part of a team and autonomously.
- Be sensitive to the needs of people from different economic, social and cultural backgrounds.
- Understanding of Brotherhood of St Laurence, mission, values and objectives.
- A commitment to the social inclusion program goals and principles
- A commitment to working with older people and enhancing quality of life
- Ability to use initiative and be responsive in situations
- Willingness to undergo a police check.
Email your expression of interest and resume to volunteer@nullbsl.org.au.
Computer Tutor
Reporting to: Social Inclusion Program Coordinator (Southern)
Location: Frankston
Hours: Negotiable - 1.5 hour sessions
Date: Ongoing
The Social Inclusion Program assists older people and people with disabilities maintain connections to family, friends, neighbours and the wider community as a strategy for improving health and wellbeing.
The program is committed to assisting people pursue their recreational and learning goals by providing access to interest or hobby groups that can improve self esteem, confidence and create pleasurable opportunities to connect with like minded peers.
We are currently seeking volunteers to provide individualised computer training and support on an as needs basis.
Duties include:
- Meeting clients in a mutually agreed place to establish requirements of training according to needs and interest
- Facilitate training sessions for participants in a way that is supportive and tailored to the capacity of the client
- To develop and prepare instruction documents for participants to reinforce learning
- Provide regular feedback to the Social Inclusion Coordinator about client progress or issues
- Liaise with coordinator regarding issues pertaining to the steering and development of the program
Job requirements:
- Significant experience in the operation and maintenance of information technology systems
- A genuine commitment and ability to work with older people or those with a disability, to facilitate their learning and development in relation to computer activities
- Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills
- Current Victorian Driver Licence preferred
- Understanding of and sympathy with the values and ideals of the BSL
- Satisfactory Police Check
Email your expression of interest and resume (optional) to volunteer@nullbsl.org.au
Activity Companions (Northern)
Reporting to: Social Inclusion Program Coordinator
Location: Preston, Northcote and other Northern Suburbs
Activity: Monthly Outing
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Date varies according to activity available)
Activity: Ladies Pamper Group
Hours: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Monday (once a month)
Activity: Social Luncheon
Hours: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. (once a month)
Activity: Movie Group
Hours: Approximately 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 3rd Monday every month
Activity: Morning Cuppa Group
Hours: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Friday’s
The Social Inclusion Program assists older people and people with disabilities maintain connections to family, friends, neighbours and the wider community as a strategy for improving health and wellbeing.
The program is committed to assisting people pursue their recreational and learning goals by providing access to interest or hobby groups that can improve self esteem, confidence and create pleasurable opportunities to connect with like minded peers.
Duties include:
- Supporting the supervisor in the facilitation of a small group of Brotherhood clients
- Providing conversation and companionship to participants who are often socially isolated and lonely to ensure clients have a positive experience
- Assisting clients with their individual needs including purchasing tickets / food, getting in and out of transport
- Collecting and recording donations, completing attendance sheets
Job requirements:
- A high degree of professionalism and effective interpersonal skills in order to be able to communicate effectively with BSL clients, staff and stake holders
- Ability to be flexible, to be able to work as part of a team and autonomously
- Be sensitive to the needs of people from different economic, social and cultural backgrounds
- Understanding of Brotherhood of St Laurence, mission, values and objectives
- A commitment to the social inclusion program goals and principles
- A commitment to working with older people and enhancing quality of life
- Ability to use initiative and be responsive in situations
- Willingness to undergo a police check.
For further information about the position phone Sonia on (03) 9474 7803 or email your expression of interest and resume to volunteer@nullbsl.org.au.
Inventory Management Assistant - Online Books
REPORTING TO: Books Coordinator - Greg
LOCATION: 25 Brunswick Road, Brunswick East
HOURS: Operates Monday to Friday, 1/2 to full day shifts available.
DATE/S: Ongoing
LOVE BOOKS? Join in with a dedicated group of volunteers to sort and catalogue donated books for BROTHERHOOD BOOKS, an on-line charity.
Brotherhood Books is part of the Social Enterprises Division of the Brotherhood of St Laurence, and was started as a fundraising venture to support the Brotherhood’s vision of an Australia free of poverty.
Duties include:
- Select, clean and categorize books
- Research and price books accordingly
- Enter books onto database
- Print, pick and pack on-line orders
Job requirements:
- Punctuality, enthusiasm, reliability and commitment to the objectives of Brotherhood Books program
- Ability to work well in a team environment & cooperate with colleagues
- Good communication skills
- Experience with books preferred, but not essential
- Understanding of, and empathy with, the values and ideals of the BSL
Time commitment can be as little as half a day a week with training provided in a friendly and supportive environment.
For further information about the position please phone 03 9483 1390 or email your expression of interest to volunteer@nullbsl.org.au.
E–Store Powerseller
REPORTING TO: Brotherhood Green - Operations Manager
LOCATION: Brunswick Road, Brunswick
HOURS: 1/2 or 1 day a week (Monday to Friday)
DATE: Ongoing
Second Hand Furniture and Art
Online Sales and Auctions
Help to create an Australia Free of Poverty
We are currently seeking experienced volunteers to sell second hand furniture and art through a variety of online media.
Applicants will be excited by the challenge of finding "gems" among piles of donated goods and obtaining the best possible price for those items in on-line sale.
Most of all, applicants will be eager to apply their powerseller skills to a worthy cause; working closely with a fun team of like-minded people.
Duties:
- Identify donated items that could be sold at a premium if sold on-line
- Prepare effective on-line advertising including photographs and text
Outcomes will include the satisfaction of a successful sale and the knowledge that the proceeds will be applied to Brotherhood programs.
Details of the BSL’s activities can be found on our website at: www.bsl.org.au
For further information about the position or to apply please email your expression of interest and resume to volunteer@nullbsl.org.au.
Mentor – Stepping Stones
Reporting to: Stepping Stones Project Officer
Location: City of Yarra, Northern and Western suburbs
Hours: 2–4 hours per fortnight – negotiable
Date: Ongoing for 12 months (6-month minimum commitment)
Do you have business and financial skills?
Want to make a difference to the lives of refugee and migrant women?
The ‘Stepping Stones’ project aims to provide training and skills development, business and financial literacy education, mentoring activities and support to increase women’s social interaction, economic participation and awareness of rights.
We are currently seeking enthusiastic women interested in imparting their knowledge and skills to support refugee women in developing their small business and financial skills (EEO Exemption no. A110/2011).
The purpose of the mentoring role is to provide: one on one support, guidance and encouragement, and to build long-term relationships that will help women to focus on achieving their goals by overcoming cultural barriers, isolation, and lack of confidence.
Mentors will be expected to commit to the project for a year and will be required to participate in induction training, supervision and mentoring program meetings.
The successful applicant will be required to undergo a satisfactory Police Check.
For further information about the position phone Juliana on 03 8412 8710 or email your expression of interest and resume to emcmentoring@nullbsl.org.au.
Download Stepping Stones mentoring brochure
Homework Club Tutor - Frankston
Reporting to: Homework Club Coordinator
Location: High Street, Frankston
Hours: 3.00 p.m. – 6 p.m. weekdays (3 hours per week)
Date: Ongoing during school terms
The Homework Club program is a joint initiative of Peninsula Youth Connections and The New Hope Foundation that aims to provide young refugee people with a supportive environment where they can work and receive school tuition in all subject areas.
Many of the students participating in the program will have had interrupted formal education experiences prior to arrival in Australia and will require broad and holistic support to continue participation in school and further education.
We are currently seeking volunteers to act as tutors in the Homework Club. The tutor’s role will be to deliver tutorial assistance to the young people in the program in a supportive manner that fosters relationships and increases the likelihood of the young people having a positive experience in school and further education.
Job requirements:
- Tertiary level education, teaching background or ESL teaching experience
- Be able to participate in and coordinate group activities aimed at building relationships and increasing literacy and numeracy skills
- A satisfactory police check and Working with Children Check
- An understanding of and sympathy with the values and ideals of the BSL
For further information about the position phone Melanie on (03) 8781 5941 or email your expression of interest and resume to volunteer@nullbsl.org.au.
Professional Mentors
REPORTING TO: Mentor Coordinator – 'Given the Chance' Program
LOCATION: Metro-wide
HOURS: Minimum 1 hour per fortnight
DATE: Ongoing – 6 to 12 months
Given the Chance is an employment and education pathways program designed exclusively for refugees who are ready to enter the workforce but may lack the local experience required to effectively seek employment. The program combines skills development training, supported work experience and matching refugees with trained mentors and is highly effective in fast tracking refugees’ employment.
Participants are paired with a trained and screened volunteer mentor whose professional experience matches the employment field the refugee is hoping to enter.
The position requires mentors to:
- Commit to meetings every fortnight for at least six months to a year
- Support with all aspects of the job search process including résumés, clarification of goals, and research into employment field, interviewing techniques, and writing applications
- Access “networks” and information specific to the refugees’ field of work via the mentor’s professional experience
- Attend Mentor Induction Training
Applicants must have:
- The ability to relate to people from many different cultures
- Patience and great communication skills
- Some workforce experience
- An ability to make a regular commitment and persist with possible challenges
- A passionate desire to make a difference
What are the benefits?
- The chance to develop a significant relationship and gain rich and authentic experiences of other cultures
- Mentors are able to expand their personal network as well as achieve greater self awareness and an appreciation of the opportunities they have enjoyed
- Mentors receive the satisfaction of acting as a facilitator to assist refugees towards a better understanding of Australian workforce culture, and ultimately see them successfully join the workforce and function effectively within it
- Mentors are supported by the Given the Chance team and through regular
- Mentor Network Meetings in which they can share their experiences.
If you require further information, please contact Roque Rebello on Thursday's or Friday's on (03) 9288 9900 or email rrebello@nullbsl.org.au.