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. 

Apply online HERE.

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

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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.

Do you have a spare 1-2 hours each week to help a learner driver?

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

Become a volunteer mentor with L2P!

What is the L2P program?

The TAC L2P Program assists disadvantaged Victorian learner drivers aged 16 to 21 with no access to a supervising driver or vehicle to gain the 120 hours driving experience required to apply for a probationary licence.

Hear from Howard, one of our wonderful mentors, on what he gets out of volunteering for L2P (read the short story and watch the short video).  

For more information email l2p@yarracity.vic.gov.au or express your interest please complete the online form via the VicRoads website.

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 TAC L2P learner driver program sees volunteer driver mentors (acting in the role of supervising drivers) matched with young learner drivers to assist them in gaining on the road driving experience in an automatic vehicle, provided through the program.

The TAC L2P Program is funded by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), managed by the Department of Transport & Planning (DTP), supported by the Victorian Government and coordinated by Yarra City Council’s Youth Services.

ROLE OBJECTIVE

• To assist learner drivers in gaining supervised, on the road, practical driving experience using the L2P vehicles.
• To develop and maintain a purposeful, empowering, supportive and ongoing relationship with a young person.

KEY TASKS

• Act in the role of a supervising driver and help the young person gain the necessary 120 hours of driving experience prior to going for their probationary license.
• Build a positive relationship with the learner driver, be a positive role model and provide non-judgemental support to the learner driver.
• Meet with the matched learner driver regularly for driving sessions (minimum 1-2 hours per week).
• Provide regular feedback to the L2P Coordinator on the progress of the learner driver.

REQUIREMENTS

• The mentor will be required to strictly adhere to the program Code of Conduct and attend prescribed training.
• The mentor will be required to implement the prescribed approach to learning to drive as outlined in the training i.e. a staged approach to learning to drive.
• To liaise with the learner driver and book in driving sessions in the L2P vehicles on a regular basis, using the prescribed booking procedure.
• To ensure that the L2P vehicle is inspected prior to every driving session, left tidy at the end of each lesson and inform the L2P Program Coordinator if the car requires refuelling.
• To inform the L2P Coordinator of any car maintenance issues.
• To assist with the completion of learner log book or MyLearner app entries to accurately record driving activity of learner driver.

KEY ATTRIBUTES

• Age 21 years and over and hold a current full Victorian license
• A minimum 6 months commitment to the program
• Good communication skills including a willingness to listen and learn
• Ability to motivate and inspire young people
• Motivated, reliable and confidential
• Self awareness, compassion and empathy
• Have (or willing to obtain) a current Working With Children Check, National Police Check (we provide) and Driver History Report (we provide)
• At least two references must be provided

TRAINING & SUPPORT

All volunteer mentors are required to attend a one off full day training provided by VicRoads. Other training specific to your volunteering role, for example child safety and working with young people, will be offered to enable you to feel confident in undertaking the role. You will be provided with ongoing support from the L2P Program Coordinator including 1:1 and group catch ups and events.

ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to:                   L2P Program Coordinator

Internal Liaisons:         Youth Services and L2P volunteers

External Liaisons:        Learner Driver

                                    TAC and/or DTP

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We will provide you with the L2P Mentor handbook, Yarra Volunteer Handbook, Yarra Code of Conduct, Yarra Volunteer Agreement and the L2P Program Mentor Code of Conduct. You will be required to sign the L2P Program Mentor Code of Conduct and Yarra Volunteer Agreement prior to commencing in the program.

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

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