When I was young, I would constantly beg my parents to book a trip to see my nan.
But she lived in a different state and travelling with a physical disability like mine isn't easy. As I got older and harder to transport, it was only on rare occasions that I got to visit my mother's parents.
When Nan passed away, I was devastated. I blamed the distance.
As thoughts of what could have been floated around my head, I started to contemplate how hard it must be for families in similar circumstances, especially those living in residential care with close relatives in another state.
These events inspired me to put my name down as a voluntary companion to local nursing home residents living with dementia.
Within weeks of stepping into the role and making my way around the ward, the staff mentioned they had already begun to witness positive changes in the demeanour of the residents. They were more alert and responsive.
The story of one woman in particular has stayed with me. Her dementia was at a stage where she couldn't recall names, nor actively participate in conversation and she could no longer feed herself.
During one of my visits, I sat beside the bed of this woman, who I'll call Sarah. As I took her hand in mine, Sarah looked up from the children's show she was watching and smiled at me: "I don't know who you are," she said, "but you make me happy."
What motivates Australia's five million volunteers?
Across Australia, there are more than 5 million people like me who volunteer through an organisation.
Most start volunteering because they know someone who is already involved, or are simply asked to give some of their time or expertise, according to Volunteering Australia.
But volunteers often have multiple motivations — many cite a desire to be helpful to others or seek the personal satisfaction that comes from doing something meaningful.
Michele Bake is "mad keen" on crocheting and the proud owner of a 400-cow dairy farm which she runs with her husband near Coffs Harbour on the NSW north coast.
Michele, 55, says she has always been an active volunteer, taking on roles with local committees, charity stores and as the president of the P&C at her daughter's school.
Then, in 2020, Michele took her volunteering one step further and trained as a crisis supporter with Lifeline.
Michele says she'd thought about volunteering with the organisation for many years, but wasn't comfortable with the idea of speaking to someone on the phone in a time of crisis.
But when she heard about a new service allowing people to text rather than call Lifeline crisis supporters, Michele was interested.
"I tend to speak before I think," she says, explaining why the text service appealed to her.
But it offers benefits for those calling in, too, she believes: "The digital [messaging] service was a really good way of reaching out to younger people who might be more comfortable [asking for help that way]."
Michele looks forward to her shifts each week and enjoys "giving back". "I enjoy being with people when they're at their most vulnerable or in times of distress and being able to stick with them," she says.
When she's not working on the farm or providing support online, Michele likes visiting the local school, where she's recently started teaching children how to crochet.
"I teach them just the basics and let them work up to more technical things," she says.
COVID's dramatic impact on volunteering
The arrival of COVID-19 on Australian shores has had a profound impact on volunteering.
A study by the Australian National University's Centre for Social Research and Methods found that the proportion of adult Australians engaging in voluntary work fell from 36 per cent to 24.2 per cent in 2021.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the decline in volunteering was initially due to people not being able to participate in person. Many former volunteers found their groups stopped or reduced operations. Others were unclear how to volunteer amid COVID-19 restrictions.
Strikingly, only about half of those who stopped volunteering in 2020 resumed in the 12 months to April last year, despite the easing of lockdowns and social distancing restrictions.
But the pandemic exposed another interesting insight into volunteering.
While many associate volunteering with helping others, the act of volunteering is also strongly linked with life satisfaction for the person who offers their time.
Those who were forced to stop volunteering during the pandemic reported experiencing a greater drop in life satisfaction than those who had never volunteered.
And once restrictions eased, social contact was one of the key motivators for volunteers to return to their unpaid roles.
It's something Sonny Tuapola — who juggles three volunteer roles — understands: "COVID-19 affected [my volunteer work]," he says. "Shifts were cancelled or we had to wear PPE."
But Sonny is glad to be back: "Volunteering has so many benefits. The act of giving back is one but it's also good for the mind."
Offering a lifeline
Volunteering has become a big part of life for Sonny, who volunteers alongside his paide job as a service delivery manager in Sydney, and a passion for fitness bootcamps.
Sonny, 55, volunteers at Sydney's Wayside Chapel, a hub of support that offers care and essential services to anyone experiencing homelessness or social isolation.
"Wayside Chapel serves a free breakfast for the homeless, anyone walking in off the street, so I do a two-hour shift every Monday morning," he says.
Sonny also volunteers weekly with Orange Sky, a charity offering a laundry, showers and conversation to anyone experiencing homelessness.
"That's usually a two-hour shift to set up the washing machines, dryers and showers for the homeless to come by, and provide the free service," he says.
Following a friend's suicide last year Sonny began training as a Lifeline counsellor. The vast majority — 88 per cent — of people who contact Lifeline prefer web or text, he says.
"No one wants to talk ... because everyone's so savvy with phones. People call from everywhere — from homes, parks, schools ... I can provide that support [from home]. I've got my screens and process flowcharts ... I've got templates, speaking notes and all that."
Alongside his crisis support work Sonny participates in the Push Up Challenge, a mental health and fitness initiative that aims to help prevent suicide.
"This time is 3,139 push-ups [over a month] ... so it's about 180 less than 2019-2020, which is a good thing," he laughs.
Sonny credits his "supportive" partner of 27 years, Pete, for keeping him grounded. "He keeps me fed. He makes sure that I'm good ... and that I do actually have some time to sit down and relax to watch TV or go for a walk with the dog."
Inspiring the next generation of volunteers
As social restrictions continue to ease and life finds its way back to COVID "normal", younger people are being encouraged to step up as volunteers.
Michele says there are many things people can do to contribute to their community.
"Go out there and do it. There are many, many fantastic ways of volunteering, from driving for Meals on Wheels, to the Pink Ladies at the hospitals," she says. "It's a wonderful feeling. I can't recommend it enough."
Younger people bring talent, enthusiasm, energy, new perspectives and creativity, Michele believes. "They are open to new ideas and are able to grow into roles where appropriate responsibility and support is given."
Sonny says he sees plenty of younger people helping out in the community. He believes the volunteering experience teaches valuable lessons that can have a positive impact on their lives.
"I think it keeps [younger people] grounded," he says. "I think schools should encourage them [to volunteer]. They would learn a bit more about respect, getting to know the people coming through ... It'd be really good exposure for them."
To celebrate 90 years of the ABC connecting communities, we've partnered with Volunteering Australia to encourage Australians to come together and make a pledge: 90 minutes of kindness in your community. Make the pledge and share your #ABC90for90 with your friends, family and colleagues.
