Bloomhill Cancer Help is searching for more volunteers to help Sunshine Coast people to live well with cancer.
While for most life’s pace seems to be speeding up, Bloomhill relies on more than 400 special volunteers to offer their precious time to help others.
People like Gerda Creese, who has been a dedicated Bloomhill volunteer for three years, said she got so much from her volunteer experience that she would do it all again in a heartbeat.
“I am so happy that I am able to offer my time, in order to help other people. It is very rewarding and helps me to appreciate the value of life,” Gerda said.
Bloomhill Cancer Help, a Sunshine Coast charity, is operated by a dedicated team of professional staff, therapists and assisted by a large number of volunteers. It relies on the generosity of the public and funds generated by its seven Op Shops. It offers practical as well as emotional support for people with cancer and their loved ones, including complementary therapies, counselling, support groups and transport.
However, without volunteers working in almost all parts of the organisation, this task would be impossible.
Volunteer coordinator, Alex Bert said volunteers like Gerda worked to provide help for Bloomhill clients in a number of ways including assisting clients with driving, buddies and home respite care.
“We also have people to assist with cleaning and maintaining the centre at Buderim and it’s gardens as well as many to assist to run the seven Op Shops throughout the Sunshine Coast that provide vital funding,” Alex said.
She said while many of Bloomhill’s volunteers had experienced personal loss or heartache, volunteers didn’t have to be touched by cancer to be able to help.
“Volunteering is a very satisfying activity and makes a huge difference in the lives of our clients. If you are able to offer some time, show compassion, demonstrate commitment and reliability, and are over the age of 18; then you too could be a volunteer,” Alex said.
She said last year volunteers provided more than 41,000 hours of assistance to Bloomhill.
“We really couldn’t provide the care and support that we do without our volunteers, whether they be working with clients or in our Op Shops which provide 80% of our funding,” Alex said.
Gerda said that while volunteering could be sad at times, the moments and memories that she has from over the years made it all worthwhile.
“The people at Bloomhill are what keep me going. Communication is also an important aspect to what we do and the support system is strong, which is really helpful,” Gerda said.
Bloomhill Cancer Help has volunteer positions open for cleaning, cooking, transport, fundraising, administration, as an centre host and also in the seven Op Shops at Caloundra, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Buderim, Nambour, the Kunda Park Distribution Centre and the newly-opened shop at Noosaville.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please phone Alex Bert, volunteer coordinator on 5445 5794.
