Do you enjoy having conversations with people from different backgrounds?

Would you like to help people feel more socially connected?

Join the Yarra Library volunteer team.

For more information contact yarralibraries@yarracity.vic.gov.au otherwise get your online expression of interest form in HERE.

Yarra City Council is committed to being a child safe organisation and supports flexible and accessible working arrangements for all.

We draw pride and strength from our diversity, remain open to new approaches and actively foster an inclusive workplace that celebrates the contribution made by all our people.

Our values Accountability, Respect and Courage underpin how we work and our efforts to build a culture based on positive relationships with colleagues and the community.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Chatty Café Scheme is a registered charity that encourages community-focused hospitality and social venues across Australia to provide shared 'Chatty' tables. The Scheme has been rolled out in cafés, pubs, restaurants, community centres, libraries, and hospitals – anywhere people can sit and chat over a coffee. Yarra Libraries incorporated this program in 2022 and it has been successfully run at the Fitzroy branch. 

The Chatty Café Program aims to kickstart conversations, get people talking to increase safe and respectful social connections within a community and possibly reduce loneliness along the way.

The Chatty Café staff are not professional therapists and will be provided with cards listing crisis hotlines for patrons requiring additional support.

ROLE OBJECTIVE

Volunteers will work alongside Yarra Libraries staff to add capacity to the delivery of our library-based Chatty Cafe program.

City of Yarra.VVolunteers will work alongside Yarra Libraries staff to add capacity to the delivery of our library-based Chatty Cafe program.

City of Yarra.VVolunteers will work alongside Yarra Libraries staff to add capacity to the delivery of our library-based Chatty Cafe program.

KEY TASKS

• Assist with the setting up Chatty Café trolley and organising the café space in the library by such tasks as: putting out tea, coffee, hot water urn, flyers –
• Assist with pack down of the Chatty Café by bringing the session to a close, removing trolley, washing dishes, putting away supplies
• Offer information on local social and library services, for example, letting them know that library can offer digital literacy assistance to the patrons who attend the Chatty café. 
• Sit with café users ensuring safe, respectful, enjoyable conversation by stimulating and guiding the conversation as necessary (conversation cards may be used if required).
• Inform library staff when coffee, tea, and other supplies need restocking.

TIME COMMITMENT & LOCATION

Chatty Cafe runs every Monday from 10am - 1pm.

The duration of volunteer's time can be negotiated if there are a few volunteers in this role.

Fitzroy Library, 128 Moor St, Fitzroy Victoria 3065.

KEY REQUIREMENTS/ ATTRIBUTES

 KEY REQUIREMENTS/ ATTRIBUTES 

• You will need to be compassionate, empathetic, comfortable speaking with people, and embrace the idea that everyone has a story to tell.
• Enjoy engaging with a wide variety of people with a diverse social and cultural backgrounds – this may include people with mobility and communication barriers.
• Able to work in a team or autonomously as required.
• Comfortable with the physical requirements of the role including potentially moving some furniture such as chairs or coffee tables.
• Have current police check, Working with Children card (we can support you with these checks).
• Able to commit to a minimum of 6 months.

TRAINING & SUPPORT

All volunteers are required to attend a short induction session about the Chatty Cafe volunteer program and any training specific to your volunteering role to enable you to feel confident in undertaking the tasks.

Compulsory online training modules required for this role includes:

• Volunteering at Council induction (including code of conduct and health and safety)
• Child safety

You will be provided with ongoing support from your Volunteer Supervisor with opportunities for feedback.

ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to:                  Library staff

Internal Liaisons:         All staff and volunteers

External Liaisons:       Members of the public

Partnering organisations

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We will provide you with a Volunteer Handbook, Code of Conduct and Volunteer Agreement. As part of the on-boarding process you will be required to sign to acknowledge that you agree with terms in the Volunteer Agreement.

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Grow your gardening skills and your social connections!

For more information contact yarralibraries@yarracity.vic.gov.au otherwise get your online expression of interest form in HERE.

Yarra City Council is committed to being a child safe organisation and supports flexible and accessible working arrangements for all. We draw pride and strength from our diversity, remain open to new approaches and actively foster an inclusive workplace that celebrates the contribution made by all our people. Our values Accountability, Respect and Courage underpin how we work and our efforts to build a culture based on positive relationships with colleagues and the community.

Program overview

Carlton Library’s community garden is designed to support sustainable living and community learning. The garden grows seasonal produce primarily for seed saving, which feeds into the library’s Seed Library program. This helps residents access free seeds and learn about gardening, sustainability, and food security.

ROLE OBJECTIVE

To assist with the ongoing care and maintenance of the Carlton Library community garden, ensuring healthy plant growth and successful seed harvesting. The role also involves coordinating with other volunteers to share responsibilities and maintain a consistent care schedule.

KEY TASKS & REQUIREMENTS

Garden Maintenance

• Watering plants according to seasonal needs.
• Removing weeds and managing soil health.
• Pruning and trimming plants as required.
• Removing diseased or damaged produce to prevent spread.
• Harvesting produce for seed saving and preparing seeds for drying/storage. 

Seed Library Support

• Collecting seeds from harvested produce.
• Labelling and storing seeds for library distribution.

Peer Volunteer Coordination

• Liaising with other garden volunteers to organise a general roster.
• Sub-delegating tasks such as watering, weeding, pruning, and seed collection.
• Communicating via email or agreed channels to ensure coverage during absences.

General Duties

• Attend regular meetings (seasonal, or as agreed) with the Library Team Leader to discuss garden progress, issues, and upcoming tasks.
• Monitoring plant health and reporting issues to the Volunteer Supervisor.
• Maintaining a tidy and safe garden space for public access.
• Engaging with library visitors who show interest in the garden.

KEY ATTRIBUTES

• Interest in gardening and sustainability.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Good communication and organisational skills.
• Reliability and commitment to regular attendance.

TRAINING & SUPPORT

• Induction session covering health and safety requirements
• Access to the Volunteer Handbook, Code of Conduct, and Volunteer Agreement.
• Ongoing support from the Carlton Library Team Leader as role supervisor.

ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to:                  Carlton Library Team Leader

Internal Liaisons:         All staff and volunteers

External Liaisons:        Members of the public

 Partnering organisations (e.g. Cultivating Community)

___________________________________________________________________

We will provide you with a Volunteer Handbook, Code of Conduct and Volunteer Agreement. As part of the on-boarding process you will be required to sign to acknowledge that you agree with terms in the Volunteer Agreement.

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Do you love dogs and going for walks?

Do you want to make a real difference to people’s lives?

If yes, volunteering with Yarra City Council’s Companion Animal Program is a great way to combine these passions to make a positive impact on our community.

You will benefit by making a new friendship with the pet and its owner, get exercise and have lots of fun, whilst receiving training and support throughout your volunteering experience. 

For more information contact the Positive Ageing Program Officer, email sarah.mathers@yarracity.vic.gov.au or phone 0456 360 047.

Yarra City Council is committed to being a child safe organisation and supports flexible and accessible working arrangements for all.

We draw pride and strength from our diversity, remain open to new approaches and actively foster an inclusive workplace that celebrates the contribution made by all our people.

Our values Accountability, Respect and Courage underpin how we work and our efforts to build a culture based on positive relationships with colleagues and the community.

Program overview

For many people pets are the most important companion in their lives, but illness, disability or frailty can make caring for pets too difficult to manage alone.

The Companion Animal Support Program (CASP) aims to help eligible residents in the City of Yarra, aged over 65 or people who have a disability, improve their quality of life by addressing social isolation and health and wellbeing.

Volunteers play a crucial role in the successful delivery of this program. They are matched with a pet owner to provide these wellbeing benefits for both pet and its owner through regular home visits and dog walking.

As a valued member of the Yarra City Council CASP team, volunteers will have the opportunity to get active, enjoy some time with a dog that they otherwise don’t have responsibilities for, as well as connect with and make a real difference to people’s lives.

ROLE OBJECTIVE

The Companion Animal Support Program volunteer will assist eligible residents, living in the City of Yarra, to care for their companion animal, and also provides companionship to the resident.

Please note;

• to be eligible to volunteer for this program you must be 18 years of age (or older);
• if you are a parent and want to take your child/ren on the dog walking duties please be aware that as a registered volunteer only you will be covered by council's insurance, not your child/ren and you will be fully responsible for their safety whilst undertaking this task; 
• due to risk management, volunteers are not able to bring their own dog whilst walking the client's dog.

KEY TASKS & requirements

TIME COMMITMENT

• 1 hour, once or twice a week (as agreed) for a minimum period of 6 months.

KEY ATTRIBUTES

KEY ATTRIBUTES

• Interest and experience in caring for dogs;
• Enjoy engaging with a variety of people from different social and cultural backgrounds, in particular older persons - but this may include people with mobility and communication barriers;
• Good communication skills;
• Be compassionate, cheerful and positive;
• Demonstrated reliability;
• Able to work autonomously; and
• Respect confidentiality.

TRAINING & SUPPORT

All volunteers are required to attend a short induction session regarding the program and undertake basic training in safe animal handling specific to this volunteering role to enable you to feel safe and confident in undertaking the tasks.

Compulsory online training modules required for this role includes:

• Volunteer induction (including code of conduct and health and safety)
• Child safety

You will be provided with ongoing support from the Program Coordinator with opportunities for feedback throughout the program lifespan.

ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to:                  Community Engagement Officer

Internal Liaisons:         Aged and Disability Services Branch

External Liaisons:        Members of the public

___________________________________________________________________

We will provide you with a Volunteer Handbook, Code of Conduct and Volunteer Agreement. As part of the on-boarding process you will be required to sign to acknowledge that you agree with terms in the Volunteer Agreement.

From little things, big things grow.

Enjoy the rewarding experience of participating in a kindergarten program for 4-year-olds.

Our expanded Seniors and Sprouts program invites senior residents to spend an hour a week with a kindergarten class to promote social engagement and community connections.

Research shows intergenerational activities foster mutual respect, compassion, and empathy. Young children develop greater social acceptance, while seniors enjoy improved quality of life, cognitive health, and reduced social isolation. It’s a win-win that combats ageism, promotes mental health, and strengthens community ties.

Requirements:

• Age 65+
• Working with Children Check (free for volunteers)
• Attend an information session, prior to the commencement of the program

For more information:

Contact the Positive Ageing Program Officer, email sarah.mathers@yarracity.vic.gov.au or phone 0456 360 047.

Register your interest:

Please provide some basic details via this online form to register.

There are lots of opportunities to volunteer in your local community.

Go to the 'Volunteer Opportunities' option on the Yarra Jobs Portal.