Question: How has corporate volunteering helped you in your role within the workplace?

It gives you a bit of purpose for the work that you are doing. So, I work in technology myself, and it’s great to see the impact that some of the things we do can have on other parts of the community. It’s not just spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations; it's the actual impact on people.

Question: What’s your favourite memory of volunteering?

My participant grew up in country NSW, and he hasn’t seen the house where he grew up in 70 years. We were going through Google Maps, and I was showing him the usual stuff you do with it. He said, “Do you think we could find my old house?” So, we looked it up... It’s still there, and he used the street view to show me the house he lived in. He showed me where his dad used to work, where his siblings used to play, and where he went to school. It was great to have that trip down memory lane with someone else using technology.

Question: What surprised you about your experience with the program?

It was less about the tech and more about just basic engagement with the person I was helping. My mentee was a lovely gentleman, and yes, we spoke about how to help him engage via his phone, whether it was social media or something like that, but he was just really happy having a chat with somebody, and so that made it even more enjoyable for me because it was just connecting with someone, so I got a lot of joy out of it.

Question: What do you love about volunteering at Inclusee?

I like the ongoing nature of it. Rather than one day of volunteering, this feels like it has longevity. I do it on a Monday morning, and it freshens me up for the week and breaks the Mondayitis feeling.

Question: What would you say to other workplaces considering volunteering with us?

It’s a great opportunity to connect with the community. There’s great flexibility and support from Inclusee; you’re not throwing your staff into an organisation where they’re going to have to fend for themselves; they are very well supported by Inclusee and can actually make a meaningful contribution.