G&C Mutual Bank’s staff members, Catrina and Janine, joined volunteers from other Australian Mutuals to help prepare a property to be used as much needed accommodation for disadvantaged families.
The day started with less traditional elbow bumps (in place of handshakes) while the team from Barnardos Australia made all the volunteers very welcome and explained the purpose of the day. The property will play an important role in supporting those in need, including women and their families fleeing domestic violence, facing homelessness and a variety of other difficult situations.
The volunteers divided into teams to tackle the day’s workload based on how they could best use their skills. The outdoor teams enthusiastically took on the gardening tasks including clearing leaves and rubbish, pruning, weeding and planting, and painting low external walls. The indoor teams equally enthusiastically focused on the DIY tasks of painting handrails and wardrobes, installing curtains and assembling beds. The Working Bee was very much a hive of activity.
Janine commented: “This Working Bee was my first volunteering experience with Barnardos Australia. It was a fantastic opportunity to give back to the community and support the valuable work of Barnardos Australia. I enjoyed tackling the various tasks, knowing that we were helping vulnerable families, and I also enjoyed meeting staff from other Mutuals as well as spending time with my colleague, Catrina. We all worked well together as a team and felt a great sense of achievement as we transformed the house and garden.”
Catrina commented: “I found the experience very rewarding as I love supporting Barnardos Australia and gardening. As part of G&C Mutual Bank's volunteering program, I have previously accompanied children from Barnardos Australia to the Sydney Special Children's Christmas Party. Each volunteering experience with Barnardos has been both rewarding and enjoyable."
G&C Mutual Bank provide staff members with one paid volunteer day per year as part of a volunteering program that supports the bank’s brand proposition – Banking on your community.
About Barnardos Australia
Barnardos Australia believes all children deserve caring families to grow safely and fulfil their potential. They keep children safe by supporting families and strengthening communities facing issues such as violence, poverty, mental illness and homelessness. Their wrap-around services include family support and preservation, domestic violence support, youth and family homelessness services, drug and alcohol support, parenting and early learning programs, foster and kinship care and open adoption. Barnardos Australia work together with children, young people and families to break the cycle of disadvantage, creating safe, nurturing and stable homes, connected to family and community.
