How did your involvement begin?
I had been suffering from anxiety and panic attacks for many years and was sick of focusing on my illness, fearful of the outside world. I wanted to see if I could do something for someone else and not focus on my problems and myself.
What does the work entail?
I ride my bike to Kepos Street Community Centre in East Redfern where we pick up the hot and cold meals for delivery.
There are two of us that do the deliveries. I am the runner and go and actually deliver food to the doors of clients, say g’day and check if everything is OK with them, and report anything that doesn’t look right or if they need help.
My friend Fay, whom I’ve only met since working here, has been doing volunteer work much longer than myself, and helps me a lot. She is the driver and uses her own car. She is amazing, and we have a great laugh when we meet.
Our run is usually in beautiful Redfern and surrounding areas like Surry Hills, Newtown, Alexandria and even Centennial Park, but Meals On Wheels caters for the whole of Sydney, it’s a great service.
What difference does the work make? What are you learning in the process?
I look forward every week to doing Meals on Wheels and going to the Community Centre which is for the aged and frail, and is a mixed cultural centre where people are playing table tennis, board games or just sitting there enjoying the company of others.
There is an elderly Chinese woman who teaches art on Wednesdays but she is going overseas for three months and we are looking for someone else to volunteer. If anyone out there could help that would be much appreciated [please contact the SSH if you’d like to volunteer as an art teacher: editor@ssh.com.au].
Not only does it make me feel good that I’m giving back to my community and society in general but it’s somehow making me a stronger person. I’m facing my fears and getting out there doing something useful and meeting all these wonderful people that I would never have known existed if I didn’t start volunteering with Meals on Wheels.
There are so many good people out there doing great work and all we ever hear on the news is bad news.
I’m so happy that I have become involved. It’s opened my eyes and made me realise that there are many aged, frail or ill people, or people with a disability, living alone in need of help, and just a quick hello to see if they are OK makes a world of difference for them. For some, we are their only contact to the outside world. It’s sad but I’m glad that the City of Sydney Meals on Wheels are doing their bit.
Who can request the Meals on Wheels service? How are requests made?
The service is available to residents of the City of Sydney who are: frail aged; living with a disability; carers of these groups.
Referrals to the service can be made by the person requiring the meals, or by someone else on their behalf, for example a doctor, family member or friend. Referrals are usually made by phone (8512 4230). After they have received the referral, the Meals On Wheels assessment officers will arrange a home visit to assess the client’s needs and provide more detailed information about the service as well as other services in the community.
People can enquire or apply to be a volunteer by calling the Meals on Wheels office to request a volunteer application form. The potential volunteer will be contacted to discuss whether there are any suitable opportunities available. An interview will then be organised. The application process also involves completing criminal history record checks and referee checks. Once that is all complete, induction and training can proceed.
