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The Smith Family celebrates the unique contributions and diversity of its volunteers this National Volunteer Week

Media releases

21 May 2024

This National Volunteer Week [20-26 May], children’s education charity The Smith Family is celebrating the significant and unique contributions of its volunteers in helping the organisation continue to grow its reach and improve the lives of young people experiencing disadvantage.

Volunteers are an integral part of The Smith Family’s work, and in the past year almost 5,200 people have generously volunteered their time, utilised their skills and shared their wisdom, making up over 108,000 hours of service.

Lauren Stocker, The Smith Family’s National Manager for Volunteering, says it’s encouraging to see volunteer numbers increasing again, following the challenges of COVID-19.

“We’ve had roughly 600 extra volunteers come on board in the past year, and we know that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all' when it comes to volunteering. This is why we’re committed to creating flexible, short-term options, as highlighted in Volunteering Australia’s National Strategy, the blueprint for the next 10 years of volunteering in Australia.

The theme for this years’ celebration is ‘Something for Everyone,’ an idea which is reflected in the wide variety of people, motivations and specific ways that volunteering is carried out.

54-year-old Jo Bell from Caloundra, QLD is a former teacher who volunteers for the organisation in support of its education-focused programs helping children overcome the education inequities they face.

Her motivation stems from her love for teaching and her desire to make a positive difference in children's lives. Volunteering alongside a diverse team of tutors at a Smith Family Learning Club (safe after-school space to support children and their schoolwork), Jo brings a nurturing encouragement to every session, fostering a love for learning in the children she mentors.

"As a former teacher, I find joy in supporting children and working with them to achieve their best. Being a role model and demonstrating the value of education brings me immense fulfillment."

In Adelaide, SA, 38-year-old hairdresser Sebastian Joseph volunteers his time by offering careers advice to high-school students, driven by his desire to challenge traditional notions of career paths and highlight the multitude of opportunities available to young people.

“Volunteering helps me contribute to a greater cause. Children need belief within themselves with what they can achieve, and I think it’s important to shift that traditional way of thinking around what career paths are available.”

“Whether volunteers are tutoring in our Learning Clubs, supporting our administration work behind the scenes, or simply lending a listening ear to a young person, they are part of something extraordinary and we are so appreciative of their gift of their generosity”, said Ms Stocker.

The Smith Family welcomes the donation of time through a variety of volunteering opportunities around the country. Volunteers can commit to as little as an hour a week or participate in longerterm roles. A range of opportunities are available to help children in need through tutoring and mentoring programs, such as Learning Clubs and online mentoring program, iTrack, as well as administration roles that help the organisation’s broader operations.

To see available opportunities in your area, please visit www.thesmithfamily.com.au/getinvolved/volunteer. The Smith Family is currently running its annual Winter Appeal which aims to raise $7.2 million nationally to support an additional 17,000 children in need.

The Smith Family’s National Manager for Volunteering Lauren Stocker is available for interviews.

Media Enquiries:
Carla Horton | Senior Media Advisor | Mob: +61 423 618 776| E: Carla.Horton@thesmithfamily.com.au

The Smith Family is a children’s education charity that helps young Australians experiencing disadvantage to create better futures for themselves through harnessing the power of education. Visit thesmithfamily.com.au

Media contacts:

Andrew Dickson | National Media Manager (National) - 0421 285 529 | andrew.dickson@thesmithfamily.com.au
Carla Horton | Senior Media Advisor (QLD & WA) - 0423 618 776 | carla.horton@thesmithfamily.com.au
Reid Jermyn | Media Advisor (VIC, SA & NT) - 0412 803 566 | reid.jermyn@thesmithfamily.com.au
Ben Chenoweth | Senior Media Advisor (NSW, ACT & TAS) - 0413 346 934 | ben.chenoweth@thesmithfamily.com.au

The Smith Family is a national children’s education charity that helps young Australians experiencing disadvantage to create better futures for themselves through harnessing the power of education. We partner with around 800 Australian schools and work with over 162,000 children and young people experiencing disadvantage access our education support programs to help them overcome . For more information, visit thesmithfamily.com.au