Wellbeing tools support volunteers
A message from Disaster Relief Australia
A week of volunteering with Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) helps communities in need as well as equipping veterans with wellbeing tools that can set them up for the rest of their lives. DRA’s wellbeing officers support volunteers with setting boundaries, building resilience and communication techniques to assist with reintegration into civilian life.
Veteran and provisionally registered psychologist Joshua Bailey has volunteered with DRA for three years and recently finished a deployment in Far North Queensland as a Wellbeing Officer.
‘By volunteering with DRA, veterans have a sense of fulfilment and achievement at the end of the week,’ Joshua said. ‘You turn up, do the best you can, when you can, while making a positive contribution to an area of society that’s disadvantaged.’
When volunteering with DRA, veterans work with people from diverse backgrounds and with many different skill sets.
‘I have a sense of purpose working with an accepting team without pressure to perform,’ Joshua said. I know I have somewhere to sleep, and I’ll get fed. DRA also has structure, which is appealing to people, but isn’t rank focused and egocentric.’
DRA supports the wellbeing of its volunteers with a dedicated wellbeing officer on each of its deployments. The officers can be approached by volunteers at any time during their deployment.
‘Usually, volunteers will talk to me about some of the trauma they’ve seen,’ Joshua said. ‘What they see here with DRA may be triggering for them, so I help them through that as well. I can also be the conduit between the volunteers and the Incident Management Team if they need to. I’m an ear for them to talk to, to make themselves feel better and provide hope as well.’
Joshua said the wellbeing officer role was challenging but enjoyable.
‘Wellbeing officers support volunteers with tools they can use for the immediate future or set them up for life,’ he added. ‘You don’t need a degree. You just need life experience, and you need to be able to care, really. As long as you’ve got that and that you care about people…. and you can go the extra mile for people, then you’ll be fine.’
For more information about DRA and opportunities to volunteer, visit disasterreliefaus.org.
Volunteers at DRA’s recent recovery operation in Far North Queensland; Joshua Bailey is first on the left.