Students in the Northern Suburbs of Adelaide have praised a school-based youth volunteer program that has enabled them to gain valuable work skills and build their confidence in communicating with a broader range of people in the community.
Northern Adelaide Senior College (NASC) is one of six South Australian secondary schools in a pilot program encouraging young people to take up volunteering in their local communities.
Member for Light, Tony Piccolo MP, visited the students on Thursday to hear how each of their experiences has impacted their lives for the better.
“Many of the students spoke of how the program has encouraged them to step out of their comfort zone, increase their confidence, discover new skills and make new friends,” said Mr Piccolo.
“It’s also opened pathways and networks for the students as they’ve been offered recreational and employment opportunities through their commitment to the community.
“This program helps show that there is reward for volunteer work on top of the great feeling you get from doing a good deed for the betterment of the region and our people.”
The Volunteering SA&NT initiative, which is backed by $125,000 in State Government funding over two years, is a partnership with the Student Volunteer Army (SVA) New Zealand, which began following the Christchurch earthquakes in 2010, mobilising students to help with recovery efforts.
Students log their volunteer hours on an app, and a summary of volunteer service can be downloaded and has been designed as a document that can be used in job interviews and other selection processes, such as apprenticeships, scholarships, and further study.
NASC student Jas Hall was one of five students across the state who pitched in the most volunteering hours and was celebrated at an awards ceremony this week, attended by Human Services Minister Nat Cook and Education Minister Blair Boyer.
Ms Hall has spent more than 70 hours in the school library since starting at the school this year and said the experience has helped her get to know people.
Fellow students have also benefitted from the program, with Gracy Rai built on her communication and teamwork skills through the cafeteria and library as she aims to become a nurse or doctor.
Angel Frencham’s macarons were a hit with the school during a breast cancer fundraiser while also pitching in with cleaning jobs and Declan Dyer got to try his hand in childcare and successfully saw that it might be a career path for him.
Alex Hill has been able to gain valuable experience and connections in the music industry and TJ Hayward was encouraged to join the Salisbury City Brass Band, return to the trumpet and get back in touch with music and people with similar interests.
Declan Dyer decided to volunteer in a local child care centre as he is contemplating a career in the caring sector and has found the experience extremely valuable.
To date, the program across the State has seen more than 400 students clock up 10,000 hours of volunteering.