Most of us are spending a lot more time at home than we’re used to, and many of us are trying to find new ways to fill our time and remain helpful to our communities. While the majority of face-to-face volunteering opportunities simply aren’t feasible right now, the good news is that there are still plenty of ways in which you can volunteer remotely from home.

A quick look on SEEK Volunteer reveals hundreds of remote or online volunteering opportunities. Some of these include:

Companionship

More than ever, the elderly and vulnerable need support and social connection. Community organisations have been quick to establish remote and online companionship services which connect volunteers with elderly or vulnerable people currently in isolation. Connections could include simple video calls made once a week, playing online games such as chess or Scrabble or even just a writing a good old-fashioned letter - the extra social connection could become the highlight of their days.

Getting creative

One of the upsides to social isolation is the time it affords us to indulge in creative pursuits such as sewing, knitting, making music, painting or writing. Why not scratch your creative itch and help others at the same time? If you’re handy with a needle and thread, you could help sew protective gowns that can be worn by Disability Support Workers. If music is your thing, why not curate music playlists for community radio stations? Bit of a wordsmith? There are plenty of opportunities looking for writers to create interesting content for not-for-profits’ social media channels. Or perhaps you have a special art and craft talent that you could share online with people isolated people in aged care?

Mentoring

Online mentoring is another great volunteering option that can be done remotely. The Beacon Foundation uses online mentors to help people to get ahead professionally, whether it be budding tradies or young women who have recently graduated from high school. Typically, volunteers talk to small groups via webcam around work-readiness, teamwork and resilience while also offering guidance on career options.

So, if you are maxed out on jigsaw puzzles and cryptic crosswords, or if you are simply looking for other ways to keep busy and be productive from home, why not consider remote and online volunteering?

For more tips and advice on how you could help others at this time, just contact our team at [email protected]