Everyday acts of kindness

In this International Year of the Volunteer, we’re shining a spotlight on the positive impact of volunteering across Bolton Clarke.

Our volunteers generously give their time to support residents and clients. They are always on hand to brighten the day and strengthen connection.

Many of our employees also go beyond their work roles to make a meaningful contribution in the community.

Volunteering village style

In retirement villages, resident volunteers play a vital role in bringing people together.

From organising social events and celebrations, to cooking meals during extreme weather events and sharing their skills to support fellow residents, volunteers generously give their time to make village life richer for everyone.

In addition, in the 2025 Retirement Living Health and Wellbeing Survey, 31% of respondents said they do volunteer work of some capacity, including volunteering in the community and in our residential care homes.

Making a difference in our homes

Volunteers play a vital role in our residential care homes, with more than 400 people regularly giving their time to help out and spend time with residents.

An example is the Cycling Without Age (CWA) program, which supports older people to interact with their local communities and enjoy cycling on purpose-designed trishaw ebikes, piloted by volunteer cyclists.

At Fernhill residential care home, residents and day therapy clients gather for sing-along sessions led by long-serving volunteer Pastor Jim. At Baycrest residential care home, volunteer Marcus has been a familiar face for nearly two decades, visiting the home twice weekly to help out the team and spend time with residents.

Giving back to the community

Many team members wear a volunteer hat, selflessly giving their time to benefit the community. Some outstanding examples from our home and community support team include Eva Ryder in our NSW Clinical Care team who cooks weekly meals for the elderly in her neighbourhood, and her colleague Melissa Loustau who volunteers for Buddhist community Soka Gakkai International Australia.

HPP Community Health Nurse Cath Flanagan and her dogs Baz and Pearl bring comfort and joy to people through their volunteering work with Lort Smith Pet Therapy, and Enrolled Nurse Helen Henderson contributes to her community as a Country Fire Authority volunteer.

Volunteers also play a vital role in the Research Institute’s work. Almost 700 customers, employees and community members have signed up to the Research Volunteers Register, with many contributing to research projects that support health and wellbeing throughout Australia and internationally.

University students volunteer in the Storytelling in Health and Aged Care, Research and Education (SHARE) program, supporting residents in our homes and villages to share and reflect on their life experiences.

Download the magazine to read more about our many amazing volunteers

Inline image 1: Volunteers at Fernhill retirement village.
Inline image 2: Cycling Without Age at Centaur residential care home.
Inline image 3: Cath with Pearl and Baz.