Get involved
Volunteering at a charitable organisation is one of the most rewarding and impactful activities you can take part in. Donating your free time to a not-for-profit organisation like The Fred Hollows Foundation is not only extremely generous – it’s also one of the most practical ways to positively impact the lives of those most in need.
Whether it’s volunteering at a fundraising event, or helping in the Sydney office with our industry-leading marketing and fundraising program, you can be assured that you will be making a real difference, contributing to a global movement started by Fred and Gabi Hollows.
Plus, on a personal level, you will make new friends, develop valuable professional skills, and gain an insight into the work we do.
Learn about the volunteer opportunities within The Foundation, and get in touch if you have any questions.
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Why volunteer with us?
While volunteering for an international development organisation like The Fred Hollows Foundation will have a positive impact on the people we serve, it will also provide you (the volunteer) with a range of benefits.
Here are some of the main reasons why volunteering with us is a great idea:
- It’s great for your wellbeing. Numerous studies have shown that volunteering is great for your physical, mental, emotional and social health.
- Be the change. We’re in the business of changing the world for the better. When you volunteer, you join us in fulfilling Fred’s original vision; to live in a world in which no person is needlessly blind, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are free to exercise their right to good eye health.
- Nurture your passions. Doesn’t it feel great to spend time doing things that you care about? Volunteering will help you connect with the activities that you’re passionate about.
- Make friends. You’ll meet like-minded individuals that are just as committed to creating a better world as you are.
- Professional development. Volunteering is a window into the everyday life of an international development professional working in the non-profit industry. You never know, you might meet your next mentor or be inspired to pursue a career with an NGO!
Why do we need volunteers?
You’ve read about why volunteering will be great for you, but why is it so great for us?
The Fred Hollows Foundation is one of Australia’s most well known and loved development agencies.
Working in more than 25 countries for over 25 years, we’ve managed to achieve more than Fred, Gabi and their friends ever thought possible when they started The Foundation.
We’ve helped train and empower local eye doctors, nurses and health workers throughout the world. In 2017 alone, we delivered more than 1.1 million eye surgeries and treatments, treated 18.4 million people with trachoma medication, and trained over 100,000 health professionals.
But with 36 million people in the world who are needlessly blind, our work is far from complete.
Whether it’s volunteering in the office by opening mail, becoming a parking marshall at one of our fundraising events, or writing thank you notes to our supporters, volunteering for The Foundation will ensure that we meet these ambitious goals.
Over the last five years, our fantastic volunteers have helped contribute nearly 40,000 hours to assist us in our ambitious goals in the international development space.
Opportunities
What are the volunteering opportunities at The Fred Hollows Foundation?
Volunteering opportunities are mainly based in the Sydney office for general volunteering, or at one of our fundraising events. Occasionally, we may have volunteering opportunities that require particular skills and experience for example, experience and qualifications in research. These opportunities may be performed from home, in our Sydney office or based at one of our other Australian offices. You can view these skilled opportunities, if any are currently available, here.
Volunteer in the Sydney office
General Volunteering in our Sydney office, the hub of our organisation, is a great way to build on your existing skills in a fun and supportive office environment.
Our volunteers help achieve our goals in a number of ways:
- Sorting donor mail in our mailroom
- Processing data
- Writing thank you notes
- Helping with minor administration like assisting with archiving etc. where required
The Foundation is flexible with how much time you choose to volunteer! Typically, volunteers come into the office in the morning for a few hours a week or fortnight to assist. However, we appreciate any time you can spare and can arrange a situation which best suits your interests and schedule, whether that be volunteering once or on a regular basis.
If you have any questions about volunteering in the office or would like to register your interest, please email volunteer@hollows.org.
Volunteer at our fundraising events
If you aren’t able to come into our office or simply just prefer the great outdoors, you can volunteer at one of our fundraising events.
As a volunteer, you’ll be a valued member of the team, assisting The Foundation in running events smoothly to raise vital funds to end avoidable blindness.
We have a variety of roles across Australia which will assist both The Foundation but also our event participants who are raising funds for us. Volunteering roles include: team leader, marshall, medal presenter or even a massage therapist (if qualified). You can volunteer for as little as four hours or for the entire event.
Find out about volunteering at one of our fundraising events.
Volunteer at Sydney Harbour Hike
Sydney Harbour Hike is a fundraising event run by The Fred Hollows Foundation on 15 October 2022. This event is a 34km hike along iconic Sydney Harbour. Participants choose one of two beautiful scenic routes, starting at Bondi or Manly Beach and concluding under Sydney Harbour Bridge in Kirribilli. For more about Sydney Harbour Hike, explore our website.
We require assistance at the start and finish lines, checkpoints, road safety marshals and more! If you or someone you know would be interested in volunteering for this exciting event, please explore our volunteer page and register today!
As a volunteer you will receive the following benefits:
- Official Volunteer T-shirt
- Food and drink on the day
- Certificate of appreciation (signed by Gabi Hollows)
- Lots of fun and satisfaction helping an amazing charity
Requirements
What are the requirements to become a volunteer?
You’ll need to be at least 18 years old to volunteer for The Foundation, and you will need to organise your own transport to and from the volunteer site, whether that’s to an event or the Sydney office.
There is no specific time commitment needed within the Sydney office. However, with events such as Coastrek and Eureka, volunteering is organised in four-hour shifts with the option of doing more than one shift if desired.
Careers
Are you interested in paid employment?
We have career opportunities all over Australia and globally. Check out our Current Vacancies or get in touch if you have any questions.
Questions?
If you have any questions about volunteering with The Foundation, call 1800 352 352 or contact us via our online form and we’ll respond as soon as possible.
