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Volunteers make our community stronger and help make the Northern Beaches an even better place to live. They help deliver services that would otherwise be out of reach for some in the community.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering. Your generosity demonstrates our strong community spirit here on the Northern Beaches.

Council is working with community organisations to support their volunteering efforts, and their available roles are listed below.

If your community organisation/group would like to be listed here, please email volunteer@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au and provide information in the same format as below. 

Council also has volunteer opportunities. Find out more.

Current community volunteer opportunities

Council has provided links below about these community groups in good faith. Council does not purport to advocate or endorse these organisations and volunteers should conduct their own due diligence before deciding to join a community group. Council does not guarantee and accepts no responsibility or legal liability whatsoever arising from or connected to the activities of these organisations or the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any information they provide.

Wildlife Rescue Hotline - Sydney Wildlife (Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services Inc.)

Volunteer role description: Taking calls from people who have found a native animal requiring assistance and organising a rescuer. This can be undertaken from our rescue office in the Lane Cove National Park or from your home.

Shifts run for four hours and training is provided by an experienced rescue coordinator.

Role Requirements: Access to a computer/laptop, internet connection, and a phone.

Volunteer Tutor on Laptops, Tablets and Smart Phones - Manly Computer Pals

Volunteer role description: Tutoring seniors to confidently use their devices in one-on-one hourly sessions during term times. Operating hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Ideally suited to a patient person with good communication skills who is keen to improve their own technology skills.

Commitment: 1-3 hours per week

Role requirements: A sound knowledge of your devices and a desire to use your skills to help seniors confidently navigate their devices at their own pace. We match student requirements to your area of expertise.

Location: based at the Manly Seniors Centre, 275 Pittwater Road, Manly.

Volunteer Bus Driver - Easylink Community Services Ltd (Cromer)

Volunteer role description: To drive minibuses driving customers to various scenic drives, shopping and social outings.

Commitment: One day a week or a fortnight (Monday to Saturday) for up to 6 -8 hours.

Essential role requirements: Minimum LR licence with clear driving record, Fitness to Drive Report, First Aid Certificate, willing to undergo Working with Children Checks and Criminal Record Checks (Easylink will submit on your behalf). Ability to maintain boundaries and confidentiality. Compliance with Easylink’s policies and procedures.

Desirable role requirements: Live on the Northern Beaches, driving an accessible vehicle, experience relating to elderly people & people with a disability. Familiarity with Aged Care and Community Sector. Friendly nature and flexible.

  • Apply: email Pat Lang (Fleet and Administration Manager)

Volunteer bus assistant - Easylink Community Services Ltd (Cromer)

Volunteer role description: Assist with the delivery of door-to-door transport on the group outings and shopping, pack picnic basket in the office prior to departure, assisting customers to get in and out of the vehicle, ensure all customers have seatbelts fastened, prepare and server refreshments, collect and record fares.

Commitment: One day a week or a fortnight (Monday to Saturday) for up to 6-8 hours.

Essential role requirements: willing to obtain First Aid Certificate, willing to undergo Working with Children Checks and Criminal Record Checks (Easylink will submit on your behalf). A sensitive and caring attitudes and respect the elderly and younger people with disabilities. Ability to maintain boundaries and confidentiality. Compliance with Easylink’s policies and procedures.

Desirable role requirements: Live on the Northern Beaches, experience relating to elderly people & people with a disability. Familiarity with Aged Care and Community Sector. Friendly nature and flexible.

  • Apply: email Pat Lang (Fleet and Administration Manager)

Toy Library Assistant - Early Ed (Forestville)

Volunteer role description: Help families, children, and the environment as a Toy Library Assistant. 

Volunteer duties include: helping parents borrow toys, interacting with children, recording loans, shelving items, managing click n collect services at local sites, driving toys to local libraries, checking and maintaining toys

Commitment: As often as you want (weekly or fortnightly preferred). Toy Library is open Mondays 12-2.30pm and Thursdays 10.30am-12.30pm. If possible volunteers requested to start 1hr before opening. 

Essential role requirements: Covid-19 vaccination, National Police Check, Working with Children Check (free), NDIS Worker Screening Check (free)

Training will be provided

Mentor - Raise Foundation

Volunteer role description: Based in high schools, Raise provides young people with a caring, independent volunteer mentor who shows up each week, just for them. With the time to listen, one-to-one support with a mentor empowers young people to talk through life’s challenges and help them cope better, today and in the future.

Commitment: 2 hours per week, during school hours, for the duration of 22 weeks from April through November. 

Essential role requirements: Working With Children Check; Police Check; Volunteers must be aged 21 years or older (students studying in a relevant field may be 20yrs old). 

Training and Support: Full training is provided free of charge to each Mentor which includes, online training modules and group mentor training sessions. Each mentor session is fully supervised by a qualified Counsellor.

Multiple roles available - One Meal Northern Beaches (Brookvale or varying locations)

Roles: Warehouse helpers, Meal servers, Cook-at-home, Delivery drivers

Volunteer role description: Multiple roles available including deliver food, serve meals to vulnerable members of the community, prepare meals at home, sort and pack hampers and meals at our warehouse or help in the office.

Commitment: 2-3 hrs per fortnight, with shifts available from 7am-5pm week days and after hours shifts on Saturdays and Sunday afternoons. Time commitment varies by role.

Essential role requirements: All roles require a Working With Children Check. Drivers require current drivers licence and their own car. Cooking facilities required if cooking at home. 

  • Apply: via the website by clicking 'apply' below and going to the Get Involved section. For more information, email volunteer@onemeal.org.au  

Driver & Vehicle Loading - Community Co-op Northern Beaches (Warriewood)

Volunteer role description: Help collect and load large boxes (18-20kg) of fresh fruit and veg, which will ultimately be packed and delivered to community members in need.

Commitment: Any day between Monday to Friday at 2pm for approximately 1.5hrs. 

Essential role requirements: Drivers licence with clear driving record; Ability to lift 18-20kg boxes on your own.

Multiple roles available -Special Olympics (Sydney Northern Beaches Club)

Roles: Sports Coaches; Sports Coordinators; Committee Members; Fundraising

Volunteer role description: Support people living with an intellectual disability to engage, be active and social through sport.

Commitment: Varies depending on the role, from 1 hour per week to a few hours per month.

Essential role requirements: A valid Working With Children Check and Police Check clearance (can be obtained once accepted).

Participant Transport for Disability Service Fighting Chance (Frenchs Forest)

Volunteer role description: Driving a van to support people with disability to access their essential services during COVID-19. 

You will be required to collect the van at our office in Frenchs Forest, pick up participants and bring them back to the office for the day (8.30am-10am), and/or do the return loop in the afternoons (2.30pm-5pm). 

Essential role requirements: Unrestricted current NSW drivers licence; willingness to undergo a National Police Check and Working With Children Check. 

Desirable experience: Driving an accessible vehicle; experience relating to people with disability.

Escorted Shopping Volunteer - MWP Care

Volunteer role description: Take clients shopping. Be responsible for the welfare, comfort and safety of clients from their home to their destination and return. 

Essential role requirements: Current drivers licence, a safe driving record, and own vehicle.

A sensitive and caring attitude and respect for the frail aged and younger people with disabilities.

Good listening and communications skills to enable clear and precise instructions from clients regarding their needs. 

Desirable: Own mobile phone.

  • Apply: email or phone (02) 9913 3244

Volunteer Driver - MWP Care

Volunteer role description: Transport clients to appointments. Be responsible for the welfare, comfort and safety of clients from their home to their destination and return.

Essential role requirements: Current drivers licence, a safe driving record, and own vehicle.

A sensitive and caring attitude and respect for the frail aged and younger people with disabilities.

Desirable: Own mobile phone.

Vehicle reimbursement of 76c/km available

  • Apply: email or phone (02) 9913 3244

Community Companion - CCNB (Community Care Northern Beaches)

  • Volunteer role description: Part of the Stay Well, Stay Connected Program. Support for people in your community who are lonely, isolated, or in need of support. Visiting in home, aged care facility or in a local cafe to have a chat and connect. Example tasks: Walking partner; Shopping; IT; Virtual support (phone/facetime); Gardening, cafe visit
  • Commitment: Flexible times to suit your schedule. 
  • Role requirements: Current Criminal Record Check; Unrestricted driver’s licence and use of own car.
  • Enquiries: volunteers@ccnb.com.au

Volunteer Receptionist - Easylink Community Services Ltd (Cromer)

Volunteer role description: To assist the office staff to respond to enquiries, answer telephone calls and take messages.

Commitment: One day each week (Mon or Tues) from 9am until 2pm.

Essential requirements: Good verbal communication; ability to take direction and maintain confidentiality; good attention to detail. Ability to learn RouteMatch software system for bookings. 

Desirable: Live on the Northern Beaches; experience using Microsoft office application (Word, Outlook, Excel)

  • Apply: email Pat Lang, Fleet and Administration Manager

     

Social Media Volunteer - Northern Beaches Dementia Alliance

Volunteer role description: Oversee Northern Beaches Dementia Alliance social media accounts.  Generate high quality content and create a regular publishing schedule. Manage the Alliances’ email account.

Commitment: 1 – 2 days a week. Remote work.

Essential role requirements: A thorough understanding of our social media platforms and how to use them. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strengths in copywriting and proofreading. Knowledge of traditional and digital marketing, content marketing and social media marketing

Driver / deliverer with Meals on Wheels - Northern Beaches Meals on Wheels (Mona Vale)

Role description: Transport and deliver meals to frail aged and people with a disability. Also check in with the clients and provide feedback to staff on any concerns. 

Commitment: Can be regular or casual role. Once a week or fortnight, Monday-Friday, 11am-1pm approx.  

Essential requirements: Willingness to undergo a Criminal Record Check. Current Drivers Licence and own car essential. Knowledge of local area and ability to navigate and do deliveries independently. 

Compassionate Champion - CCNB (Community Care Northern Beaches)

Volunteer role description: Support for people in your community who are at home in palliative care, or supporting their Carer.

Commitment: Flexible times to suit your schedule. 

Role requirements: Current Criminal Record Check.

Multiple roles available - Spill the Beans (Allambie Heights or Online)

Role: Website designer, Editor, Event Coordinator

Role description: Join the community of budding and published writers who take challenges and share stories. Due to a growing membership, we need to expand our team and upgrade our services. 

Commitment: Flexible dependent on your other commitments.

Essential requirements: Good organiser, ability to use word and gmail. For website design - experience with GoDaddy and Word Press.

Desirable requirements: Love of reading and writing

Marketing & Fundraising Volunteer - Manly Food Co-operative

Role description: Looking for multiple eco-minded creatives to assist with social media posts, product photography, fundraising and book-keeping

Commitment: 2-4hrs per week, flexible schedule 

Benefits: Earn discounts on your shopping at the Co-op

Requirements: Access to own phone and computer

Desirable: Enthusiastic about sustainability and zero-waste shopping

Gardener - Community Connect Northern Beaches

Role Description: Work as part of a team to create safe and accessible gardens for elderly clients

Commitment: Flexible, but ideally one morning per week on an ongoing basis

Essential criteria: Own transport to job sites

Desirable: Ability to work well with others in a team environment and a general interest in gardening / working outdoors

Volunteer Administrator / Coordinator - The Forest Community Men's Shed (Belrose)

Role Description: Responsible for many of the computer based aspects of daily operations. Requires frequent interaction with the Men's Shed Committee and male members who are aged 65 – 85.

Commitment: Willing to be present at The Shed for 1-2 hours on at least 2 days per week. Willingness to work from home at other times. Hours flexible - part time or full time. Preference given to a volunteer willing to make a long term commitment. 

Essential criteria: Good working knowledge of MS Windows including MS Word & Excel; home access to internet, email and mobile phone. Good interpersonal skills and a willingness to work with older aged men. Willing to provide Criminal Police Check (Aged Care). The Shed will apply for and pay for this. Mandatory Double Covid-19 Vaccination.

Desirable: Working knowledge of Word Press to manage website. Knowledge of TeamViewer remote access software or similar application.

Volunteer - Sailability Pittwater

Role Description: We offer opportunities for people with a disability to enjoy recreational sailing.  Volunteers assist in many ways including rigging boats, assisting people in and out of boats  (with appropriate lifting equipment when required), administrative matters, and taking people sailing in specially designed small boats.

Location of role: Rowland Reserve, Bayview

Commitment: September to May, Wednesdays and/or Saturdays, fortnightly, 9am - 1pm.  (Weather and Covid safety permitting)

Essential criteria: Working with Children Check

Desirable: Willingness to be part of a team helping others, particularly those with a disability.  Sailing experience not essential but always welcome. 

Visitor Services - Harbour Trust (North Head)

Role Description:  Visitor Services welcome visitors to North Head, offer directions and historical information, sell merchandise and tour tickets.

Commitment: Volunteers are usually rostered one day per fortnight; however, this is negotiable. Shift is 10am – 4pm.  Volunteers required for Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Essential criteria: Over 18yrs age.

Desirable: People persons with an interest in local history and wildlife.

Volunteer Driving Instructor/Mentor - Community Northern Beaches (CNB)

Role Description: Volunteer driving mentors to assist our migrant and refugee community members to gain confidence with driving experience. The goal is to pass their driving test as the pathway to independence and employment. 

Commitment: 1-2 x Two hour blocks per week

Essential criteria: Please get in touch if you are passionate about helping people, kind, patient and have a good driving record 

Benefits: Training, education and support. Meet new people and volunteer with a great local organisation!

Sailability Volunteer - Manly

Role Description: We offer opportunities for people with a disability to enjoy recreational or competitive sailing. Volunteers assist in many ways, including rigging boats, assisting people into and out of boats, administration, cooking sausages, driving our Support Boat, and taking participants sailing in specially designed small sailing dinghies which cannot capsize or sink.

Location: Manly Yacht Club, East Esplanade Manly. 

Commitment: We sail right through the year, with reduced days in Winter. Volunteers can nominate dates they would like to sail, every second Wednesday, every second Saturday and one Monday a month. No sailing in uncomfortable weather.

Essential criteria: Working with Children Check

Desirable: Willing to work as a team, embrace new situations, and meet a constant stream of new and interesting people. Benefits: Parking Permits provided for local area on sailing days. 

Community Visitor - CatholicCare

Role Description: Visit seniors in local aged care facility or in their own home and help improve their quality of life as part of the federally funded Community Visitors Scheme. Have a cuppa, read together, listen to music, go on outings or play games. 

Location: Various, Northern Beaches 

Commitment: A hour a fortnight, flexible times and days to suit your schedule and the resident's

Requirements: Police check (paid for by CatholicCare), attend induction training.

Greek and Italian-speaking volunteers needed.

Tutors, Computers, Tablets and Phones - Computer Pals for Seniors Northern Beaches Inc.

Volunteer role description: Tutoring seniors to confidently use their device in one-on-one hourly sessions during term times. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Ideally suited to a mature minded person of any age.

Commitment: 1 to 3 hours per week

Role Requirements: A sound basic knowledge of your device and a desire to use your skills to help seniors confidently navigate their device at their own pace. We match student requirements to your area of expertise.

Location: based at the Tramshed Arts & Community Centre, 1395a Pittwater Road, Narrabeen

Volunteer Archivist - Royal Far West Manly

Become a volunteer to help us preserve our collection and help us tell the rich stories of Royal Far West in the lead up to our Centenary.

RFW is looking for volunteers to help us manage and preserve our records, some of which date back to the 1920s.  We need help reviewing our collection, accessioning, and keeping our records up to date as well as preparing our collection to move to another location.

As the Volunteer Archivist you will contribute to the assessment, documentation and preparation of materials related to RFW’s history, with the aim of identifying and highlighting key RFW stories and moments for our Centenary. 

The project will start in June at the offices in Wentworth Street, Manly. Volunteers will need to commit to a minimum 6-month period while we safely transition our archive to its new home however would welcome long-term volunteer support for the collection in the lead up to the Centenary.

Volunteer Radio Operator - Marine Rescue Sydney (State Communication Centre)

As a Radio Operator at the Marine Rescue Sydney State Communications  Centre, you'll undertake tasks that include:

Search and Rescue communication and coordination support 24/7 emergency monitoring of a range of channels. Vessel Log On and safety monitoring via radio and mobile phone app. Vessel tracking. Broadcast of regular weather forecasts. Broadcast of emergency warnings. Multi-agency communications and liaison. The Marine Rescue Sydney State Communications Centre is a modern, purpose-built facility located in Belrose. Officially opening in late 2021, the centre boasts the latest in marine radio technology and equipment, enabling you to undertake your role effectively and efficiently. Join our team and help save lives on the water.

Essential role requirements: Good communication skills. Sound IT skills, National Police Certificate.

Commitment: Regular weekly 5 hour watch. Minimum 6 months. Marine Rescue Sydney State Communications Centre operates 24 hours a day 7 days a week providing essential monitoring of the marine radio network. Regular shifts are required to maintain your knowledge.

Training and Support Full training provided.  Long Range Operators Certificate of Proficiency 

Suitable for: Centrelink Volunteers, Skilled Volunteers, Wheelchair Access

Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme - Lifeline Northern Beaches

Would You Like to Make a Positive Difference in Someone’s Life?

As a volunteer within the Lifeline NB ACVVS program, you will help end loneliness by providing friendship and companionship through visiting an older person living in a local (Mosman to Collaroy) residential aged care facility. 

Benefits
Volunteering as a community visitor is a rewarding and life changing experience, as just by visiting an aged-care facility resident, you can make an amazing difference to someone’s life, bringing meaning and joy to their day.  As am ACVVS Volunteer, you will be provided with all the training and support you need and be part of a great team.

Commitment
1-hour per fortnight for a minimum of 12-months

Role Requirements
Willingness to undertake a Police Check which we will pay for. Must be COVID vaccinated, have own vehicle and driver’s licence.

Enquiries
If you’re ready to give back, we’d love to hear from you. Phone Lifeline Northern Beaches office on 9949 5522 and request the CVS Volunteer Application Pack.

Forest Computer Pals for Seniors Inc

Volunteers sought for Trainers for our Forestville Community Library based group.

Link to our website   https://forestcompals.org.au/training/

Trainers would need to be proficient in use of devices covering both Apple & Windows / Android, although not necessary to be able to cover both. 

Would suit recently retired individuals wishing to “give back” to our mature aged students.

Extract of the services / training offered on the three mornings each week.  

We offer basic iPad two hour group sessions that provide the opportunity to explore the iPad’s capabilities in a like minded social group setting.

Apple  (iPad, iPhone, iPod), and Android devices are covered by our trainers in one-to-one training and troubleshooting. They will help you make the most of your device and the applications on it. Our trainers have years of experience helping students overcome those annoying minor glitches and irritations where things don’t work they way you think they should.

This training also sets the platform for more advanced training in internet shopping, email, photography, advanced messaging and video conferencing (FaceTime, Messenger and WhatsApp)

Volunteer Tour Guide - Barrenjoey Lighthouse, NSW National Parks & Wildlife

Do you like wonderful scenery?

Do you embrace a good walk in a beautiful location?

Do you enjoy meeting new people and being part of a great team?

If so, you may be interested in becoming a volunteer tour guide at Barrenjoey Lighthouse, with National Parks & Wildlife.

You will need to be available one Sunday per month, 10am to 4pm, to conduct tours of the lighthouse with the team. Full training will be provided upon acceptance into the team.

  • For further information, please contact Russ 0490 701 853, Team leader, Barrenjoey Lighthouse Crew.

Cancer Council Information Service Volunteer – Northern Beaches Hospital

Cancer Council Information Service Volunteer – Northern Beaches Hospital (Frenchs Forest) 

Role description: Volunteering with Australia’s leading cancer charity, you will provide social support and direct cancer patients, carers and their families to appropriate cancer support services and information. 

Location: Northern Beaches Hospital, Day Medical Unit

Commitment: 4 hours on a regular weekday 

Requirements: National Police Check, Working with Children Check, attendance at training

Apply: https://volunteers.cancercouncil.com.au/ Enquiries: 9334 1648 jacqui.greenfield@nswcc.org.au

Volunteer - HammondCare

Do you like a game of Scrabble or have a love of art? Come Volunteer with us and you can enjoy your hobbies and make a difference to someone's day.

90 years ago, HammondCare was founded on the generosity of volunteers, without volunteers we wouldn't be where we are today and that's why we are always looking for more wonderful volunteers to help make a difference to people's lives! When people volunteer with us they'll be participating in an activity that they already love and want to share with others. Or perhaps they're looking to gain a new skills and meet new people. All our volunteers receive training as well as ongoing support from local volunteer coordinators. The Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme (ACVVS) is funded by the Australian Government to improve the quality of life of older people through friendship and companionship with a volunteer. It also has the purpose of increasing social engagement for those who may be socially isolated shown by increase of wellbeing, increase in independence, increase of self-esteem and a sense of purpose, a sense of connection to community, culture, identity or reduce feelings of loneliness/depression or anxiety.

Commitment: One-hour visits for 6 months or longer

Requirements: 

  • 18 years or older

  • National Volunteer Police Check arranged and paid for by HammondCare

  • Evidence of COVID-19 vaccination will be required (two doses)

Locations: Variety of locations on the Northern Beaches

Enquiries: If you're ready to give back, we would love to hear from you. Phone 0481 469 585 or email ccanham@hammond.com.au

Bushcare Volunteer - Waratah Park

Volunteers are invited to join monthly bushcare mornings at Waratah Park, the former home of Skippy the Bush Kangaroo.  From 9am to 1pm at 13 Namba Rd, Duffys Forest.  For the remainder of 2024 these will be held on Sunday June 9th, July 28th (National Tree Day), August 25th, September 22nd , October 20th, November 17th and December 8th.

Please wear protective clothing and footwear and bring a drink bottle and gloves if you have them. Tools are provided.

Thanks to the efforts of volunteers, and rangers of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, Waratah Park is looking lush and healthy!

To register your interest, please contact Jenny Harris on 0408512060 or jenny1053@icloud.com

Volunteer 'buddies' - Gig Buddies Sydney

Assist an adult with a mild to moderate learning disability and/or autism to access the community, attend events and have fun. 

Commitment: Meet up once a month for a minimum of 12 months to promote social inclusion. Alongside catch-ups, we also have non-mandatory, engaging events held monthly for everyone in the program.

Requirements: No experience needed and training is provided. Will need to obtain a NDISWC (free of charge).

Apply: via our website under the ‘volunteer’ section at https://www.gigbuddiessydney.org

If you have any questions, please email info@gigbuddiessydney.org or call 0403 184 404.