‘She’s the boss’ – Volunteering at the Women’s House

Pam and Philippa are a culinary comedy double act at the Women’s House. Their quirky friendship keeps the kitchen running and its visitors well-fed and amused.

Between them, Pam and Philippa have racked up almost 30 years of volunteer service with Sacred Heart Mission. But it wasn’t until last year that they met on a shift at the Women’s House – and the rest, as they say, is history. We asked them few questions while they dished up a veggie lasagne.

I hear one of you is the boss.

Pam: Negotiable.

Philippa: Me. Hands down.

Pam: (Sighs) Yes, she is. When I returned to volunteering at Sacred Heart Mission, Philippa was here and she gave me a fantastic introduction. So now I know what I’m doing, and if I get it wrong, she tells me. It actually works really well.

It’s clear you’ve been volunteering together for some time.

Pam: Only for the last year. We’ve volunteered here for a long time, but not together.

Philippa: I started in an op shop in Hawthorn while I was working for a legal firm. After I retired, I started volunteering in the office, which then snowballed into the Dining Hall and Women’s House about nine years ago. And I’m still here.

Pam: I started in 1998, at the Dining Hall. But I’ve got dodgy knees and it became too hard on them. So then I came to the Women’s House. I’ve moved in and out of volunteering here over the years – although now I’m with Philippa, I’m staying.

Philippa: She still comes back.

Pam: I have to! She keeps me in line.

What is it about the Women’s House that keeps you coming back?

Pam: The Women’s House is incredibly important. There’s so much need for it from women, particularly older women who find themselves without the support they may have had earlier in life.

When I first came to the Women’s House, many of the women were supporting themselves through street sex work. These days, we’re seeing more people from all backgrounds whose life circumstances have changed, and who come here for the support of the wonderful staff and social workers.

Philippa: I think of this place as an oasis of humanity. You walk into this beautiful, peaceful environment and there’s no judgement. Everyone experiences kindness and respect. It’s just a pleasure to come here.

I think of this place as an oasis of humanity. You walk into this beautiful, peaceful environment and there’s no judgement.

What do you do as volunteers here?

Philippa: When we arrive, we set up the serving bench and the tea and coffee station at the back. Then we take our glorious trolley up to the main house kitchen, collect the food, and trundle it back down Grey Street.

Then we set up lunch and serve it.

Do you interact much with the women who come here?

Philippa: Yes, you do. You’re making conversation and being friendly, but it’s not for us to play the role of social worker. It’s for us to interact respectfully.

For instance, I would never ask someone, “How are you?” because you don’t know what’s happened in their day or where they’ve come from. Instead, I might say something like, “I love your hat,” or “Isn’t the weather shocking?”

Pam: We do get to know some of the women who come here, and they get to know us too. But Philippa is right: we’re not here to replace the social workers.

We both get a lot out of being here. There’s a wonderful sense of shared humanity and community. That’s what it is for me.

What kind of person does it take to be a volunteer here?

Pam: I think the word humanity is really important. People who volunteer here often bring that sense of humanity through their own life experiences. We’re both retired, so we have the time now to give back.

It’s about valuing everyone and respecting everyone. There’s a place in this world for everybody, and we’re not here to judge anyone.

Except when she bosses me around too much.

Philippa: Which I do regularly.

Pam: Fair enough.

I could interview you two all day.

Philippa: Oh no, just keep interviewing her and I’ll keep interrupting. But really, we’re very, very happy working here together, aren’t we?

Pam: Absolutely. I felt very fortunate when I returned and was paired with Philippa. We’ve found common interests under that humanitarian banner.

Why not do something good and meet your next BFF while you’re at it? Check out volunteer opportunities in gardening, meals, op shops, music and more.

Find your next volunteer role here.