What type of volunteering opportunities are available?

There are numerous areas across Sacred Heart Mission where you can volunteer. View our current volunteering opportunities here.

Who do I help by volunteering?

We recognise that everyone’s journey is unique and we work to provide people with support that is effective and carefully tailored to their individual needs.Whether it’s women’s services or aged care, crisis or long-term supported accommodation, or our counselling and health services, Sacred Heart Mission’s dedicated workforce of staff and volunteers tailor support to each person’s needs with respect and compassion. Learn more about the services Sacred Heart Mission provides here.

Will I receive training?

On your first day as a volunteer you will receive an induction to your role by the relevant coordinator. All new, fully compliant volunteers will be enrolled in 4 online training modules shortly after you commence volunteering.

How long do I have to commit for?

Due to the costs involved for us as an organisation in getting new volunteers inducted, we generally ask for a six-month commitment. However, in certain programs we do have some more flexibility to take on shorter term volunteers.

Do you have corporate volunteering opportunities?

Due to unforeseen circumstances we are currently not taking any enquiries for Corporate Volunteering shifts across Sacred Heart Mission. This includes booking any further Corporate Volunteering shifts, and at this stage will be until further notice. We apologise for the inconvenience but this is currently out of our control.

Can I volunteer for Christmas Day in the Dining Hall?

On Christmas Day we can only accept volunteers who have completed at least 10 shifts. This is because we need highly experienced volunteers because we usually have about 400 people just for lunch.

What is the minimum age for volunteering?

The minimum age for volunteering is 15, however the only volunteering roles available for 15-17 year olds are in our Op Shops.

Do I need to do a police check?

The majority of our volunteers will require a police check, the exception being where an NDIS check is required (eg in SHM Aged Care volunteer roles). For a police check to be acceptable, it must have been completed within the last 3 months. If a new police check is required, SHM will cover the cost when it is completed via Crimcheck, our preferred supplier. You will be sent instructions on how to complete the police check during our onboarding process.

What further compliance is needed?

This depends on the program. For example, all Women’s Services volunteers need a current Working with Children Check.All volunteers handling food will need a food safety certificate. Following universal infection control and food handling guidelines people completing shifts in the Dining Hall may also be required to wear a hairnet or cap, disposable gloves and a face mask.All the relevant compliance will be sent to you prior to you starting your role and there will not be any costs for you.

Volunteer

Volunteering at Sacred Heart Mission makes a real difference for people experiencing homelessness, disadvantage and social exclusion. Help us aspire to an inclusive and fair society where everyone can live a fulfilling life.

On this page:

Ways to volunteer Our volunteer areas Common questions

Volunteer with Sacred Heart Mission

Voluntary work is a rewarding activity where you can connect with like-minded people, develop your skills and help to improve the quality of life for all involved. We are committed to ensuring that volunteers across our programs are encouraged, supported, trained and well-informed for mutual benefit. Scroll below to view our various volunteer positions including work in our op shops, Meals Program, Aged Care, accommodation sites and health services.

View and Apply to Current Volunteer Opportunities

Current volunteering opportunities

Victoria

We offer various volunteer positions. View our current vacancies here.

View opportunities

Apply to be a volunteer

Victoria

Apply today

Access our online volunteer portal

Online

Do you already volunteer with us? Then use our volunteer portal to manage your shifts and receive updates about Sacred Heart Mission and our volunteer program.

Access the portal

Learn more about what it’s like to volunteer at Sacred Heart Mission

Join our op shop family

We talked to six op shop volunteers about their volunteering experience. Hear what Olivia, Julie, Arian, Duong, Hilary, Carol and Paul have to say – and why they recommend you joining our op shop family:

Olivia: I think volunteering is important, especially for organisations such as Sacred Heart Mission, because it allows them to exist.

Julie: Volunteering is so important to me as a single mother and a self-employed person. So for me to be able to spend a few hours giving back to the community is a great thing.

Olivia: I originally started volunteering in the Elsternwick op shop because it was my local op shop. It was just such a nice place to be. Everyone wanted to be there. Everyone was really welcoming and passionate about what they were doing.

Adrian: You get all sorts of characters coming in from overseas, a lot of backpackers, and there’s an eclectic bunch of people that live in the neighborhood here with unusual haircuts and their fashion sense.

Duong: Normally I come in at 10:00 AM and then I ask for the manager to give me some tasks. And then most of the time I hang the clothes, tagging, and then taking them out to the store and people can start to buy them.

Hilary: I do four hour shift and I spend most of my time on the floor. Sometimes I do the cash register, but most of the time I’m putting more things on the racks, tidying up the racks, tidying up the shoes.

Carole: It’s a great way to keep yourself involved in your local neighborhood. Brunswick Street is the most fantastic street – it’s just full of surprises.

The biggest surprises is this shop, it’s great. It’s just the best.

Olivia: I think volunteering has changed me in a lot of ways. It’s introduced me to a lot of people that I otherwise wouldn’t have interacted with or gotten to know.

Hilary: I really think that this will be something I’ll do for many, many years to come.

Julie: Volunteering – just do it. It’s fantastic. Makes you feel good.

Paul: It gives you acceptance. It gives you an inclusion. It gives you confidence. It’s a real thing. And if you put something into it, you’ll get something back in tenfold.

Our volunteer areas

We offer various volunteer positions including work in our op shops, Meals Program, Aged Care, accommodation sites and health services.

Volunteer in our Op Shops

Our op shops provide great opportunities for volunteers to use or develop their customer service and retail skills, while helping to raise funds for our programs and services. Open seven days a week, our op shops need an on-going commitment from volunteers.

Volunteer in our Meals Program

As a volunteer, you can work in our fully equipped commercial kitchen to help our chefs prepare and serve hundreds of meals each day. Our Meals Program is open 365 days a year and provides much needed nutrition and support to members of our community.

Aged Care Volunteer Visitors

Befriend an older person living in residential aged care. A friendly face plays a vital role in enriching the lives of the residents who might otherwise feel isolated from the community. Learn more here.

Corporate volunteering

Corporate volunteers contribute significantly to Sacred Heart Mission’s work and are a vital part of our volunteer program. Learn more here.

Community and school volunteering

by engaging the community and students, we strengthen social awareness around the issues affecting people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage. Learn more here.

Special skilled volunteers

Do you play music? Create art? Teach yoga? Help create a fun and safe space for participants to express themselves.

We recognise that everyone’s journey is unique and we work to provide people with support that is effective and carefully tailored to their individual needs.

Whether it’s women’s services or aged care, crisis or long-term supported accommodation, or our counselling and health services, Sacred Heart Mission’s dedicated workforce of staff and volunteers tailor support to each person’s needs with respect and compassion. Learn more about the services Sacred Heart Mission provides here.
The majority of our volunteers will require a police check, the exception being where an NDIS check is required (eg in SHM Aged Care volunteer roles). For a police check to be acceptable, it must have been completed within the last 3 months. If a new police check is required, SHM will cover the cost when it is completed via Crimcheck, our preferred supplier. You will be sent instructions on how to complete the police check during our onboarding process.
This depends on the program. For example, all Women’s Services volunteers need a current Working with Children Check.

All volunteers handling food will need a food safety certificate. Following universal infection control and food handling guidelines people completing shifts in the Dining Hall may also be required to wear a hairnet or cap, disposable gloves and a face mask.

All the relevant compliance will be sent to you prior to you starting your role and there will not be any costs for you.