When volunteering presents new life experiences
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How many of you have been out to Paraparap and marshalled a cycling race?
A group of young people studying Life Skills at St Laurence were keen to visit the Geelong Veterans Cycling Club as volunteers, to add to their life experiences.
And what a life experience it was, to be involved with these veteran club members (aged 60–80+years) in a beautiful country setting.
This initiative was part of Leisure Networks' drive to support the participation of people using disability services in community volunteer roles. Club President Richard Buckwell says he was keen to run this kind of program.
So what Life Skills were learnt?
By the St Laurence attendees
The first thing we learnt was what a truly inclusive and welcoming club feels like. On arrival, we were welcomed by smiling members of the Geelong Veterans Cycling Club, who were ready with hot drinks and scones. There was loads of conversation about bikes, the course, the riders and the jobs to be done – the two groups interacting with ease.
We then learnt about the marshalling jobs and were taken to various points on the course to wave the red, green and chequered flags.
We also learnt that volunteering is not always easy. It was pretty cold out on the course but thankfully the club had a very warm feel to it. After the race we were invited to join members for an amazing morning tea (thanks to Baker's Delight donations) and we had the chance to relax, converse and tell jokes with these very inspiring Super Vet Riders.
What's next?
On departure, the young volunteers were all given a very genuine open invitation to return – which is in the planning stage.
The interaction between the two groups gave everyone a true sense of how important the Wednesday morning racing is to this group of veterans. It was a great lesson about community involvement, camaraderie, being part of a group and keeping fit.
Thanks Geelong Veterans Cycling for reminding us of how it looks to be truly inclusive of people with diverse abilities and for allowing us to do something completely different. Looks like the crew is going out again in early December and this time they’re taking their bikes!
Success factors
- Very inclusive environment and people
- Good match of roles/abilities
- Support workers who were enthusiastic, engaged and participated with their clients.
Comments
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Posted by Mahalia - Friday, 14 October 2011 02:49