Thinking about volunteering?

Nexus Unit - John Hunter Campus, New Lambton Heights 

Do you want to support young people experiencing mental health challenges? We’re looking for caring volunteers to join our Nexus Connect Volunteer Program at the Child and Adolescent Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit at John Hunter campus.

Key Tasks: 

• Engagement: Participate in creative and recreational activities with young people.
• Companionship: Provide a friendly and empathetic presence.
• Active Listening: Offer a non-judgmental space for conversations.
• Motivation: Encourage participation in social and recreational activities.

Skills Needed:

• Strong communication and rapport-building skills
• Creativity and enthusiasm for activities
• Empathy, patience, and resilience in mental health settings
• Commitment to regular attendance

Shifts Available:

• Wednesdays: 3:30pm - 5:30pm
• Thursdays: 2:00pm - 4:00pm
• Sundays: 2:00pm - 5:00pm

Become a part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people. 

Intermediate Stay Mental Health Unit - James Fletcher Hospital Campus, Newcastle 

Are you calm, kind, and interested in making a meaningful difference?

We are seeking compassionate volunteers to join ISMHU Engage, a volunteer program at the Intermediate Stay Mental Health Unit (ISMHU) on the James Fletcher campus in Newcastle.

Volunteers support people receiving care by providing companionship, gentle activities, and a calm presence in shared spaces. This role is focused on building connection and enhancing the emotional wellbeing of people staying in the unit.

Key Tasks:

• Engagement Activities: Support creative, recreational, and sensory activities such as colouring, art, puzzles, board games, music conversations, and light outdoor games like table tennis.
• Companionship: Spend time with consumers in common areas, offering light conversation, connection, and emotional support in a respectful, professional manner.
• Supportive Environment: Help create a warm and welcoming space for engagement by tidying activity areas, gathering materials, and collaborating with staff.

Skills and Experience Required:

We are looking for volunteers who are calm, caring, and reliable. 

Ideal volunteers will have:

• Strong Interpersonal Skills: Able to build rapport with a wide range of people in a respectful, non-judgmental way.
• Empathy and Understanding: A compassionate approach to people experiencing mental health challenges.
• Resilience and Presence: Comfortable being in an inpatient setting and able to remain grounded and calm.
• Professional Boundaries: Able to maintain a warm but professional relationship and follow safety procedures.
• Commitment: Willing to attend one regular shift per week and be a consistent presence in the program.

Shift Times:

• Mondays: 10:00am – 12:00 noon
• Wednesdays: 2:00pm – 4:30pm
• Fridays: 2:00pm – 4:30pm

Mater Mental Health Centre, Waratah

Bring colour, creativity, and connection to the heart of our service.

As a Connecting Through Craft volunteer, you’ll help create a welcoming space in the foyer of the Mater Mental Health Centre where people can pause, engage, and connect—whether through a simple art activity or a friendly conversation.

This is a warm, social role that involves connecting with consumers on leave, carers, staff, visitors, and fellow volunteers.

Key Tasks:

• Set up and facilitate simple craft activities in the main foyer area

• Decorate the space and tables to make them welcoming and visually appealing

• Offer handmade craft giveaways such as bookmarks, cards, and stickers

• Connect with people in a warm, respectful, and inclusive way

• Offer wayfinding support to visitors as needed

• Support mental health awareness events through themed activities and displays

• Contribute your own creative ideas—new project suggestions are welcome!

Shifts Available:

• Morning shift: 9:30am – 12:30pm

• Afternoon shift: 1:00pm – 4:00pm

• Weekdays only

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys creativity, connection, and being a steady, positive presence in a healthcare setting.

Mater Mental Health Centre, Waratah

Support wellbeing and connection by helping manage a library and book trolley service for consumers in our acute inpatient units. This role offers a calm and meaningful way to engage with consumers, carers, and families—providing distraction, enjoyment, and friendly conversation through the gift of reading. 

Key Tasks:

• Process Donations: Sort through donated books and magazines
• Library Maintenance: Organise the volunteer library space—categorising materials and managing items in need of repair or disposal.
• Trolley Organisation: Load and restock the book trolley with a curated selection of reading material for delivery across units.
• Trolley Rounds: Safely transport and operate the trolley through designated areas of the Centre, offering books and magazines to consumers, carers, and families.
• Engagement: Provide warm and respectful conversation while offering books. 
• Staff Liaison: Build and maintain positive relationships with unit staff.
• Digital Library Access: Volunteers are trained to help consumers access digital library services, increasing options for those who prefer or need digital formats.

Shifts Available:

Weekday afternoons: Monday to Friday, 1:00pm–4:00pm

Support comfort, dignity, and personal expression through clothing and care.

The Style Support Service helps consumers at the Mater Mental Health Centre access essential clothing during their inpatient stay—promoting dignity, self-worth, and comfort. We’re seeking volunteers who are organised, kind, and have a flair for style and human connection.

This is a hands-on, people-focused role that combines practical tasks with meaningful interactions.

Key Tasks:

• Visit Units to Take Orders: Attend designated mental health units to speak with staff and, where appropriate, connect directly with consumers to understand their clothing needs and preferences
• Style and Prepare Packs: Return to the volunteer office to select clothing based on each person’s needs, preferred style, and size—curating personalised packs that reflect care and respect
• Use of Tote Bags: Place clothing in a tote bag provided by Creating for Charity, and complete a handwritten message tag to add a personal, dignified touch
• Coordinate Donations: Support sourcing and sorting of donated items, ensuring they are appropriate, good-quality, and seasonally suitable
• Maintain the Storeroom: Help keep the clothing pool organised, stocked, and welcoming
• Pop-Up and Mobile Wardrobes: Occasionally assist with delivering or setting up mobile or pop-up wardrobe offerings within units

Skills and Experience Required:

• Great interpersonal and communication skills, including listening and empathy
• Comfortable engaging with people in an acute mental health setting in a calm and respectful way
• Good organisational and sorting skills
• An interest in personal style and helping others feel good in what they wear
• Able to work independently, reliably, and with attention to detail

Shifts Available:

• Weekday mornings: 9:30am–12:30pm
• Weekday afternoons: 1:00pm–4:00pm

Maitland Mental Health Unit - new Maitland Hospital

Make a real difference in the lives of people experiencing mental health challenges by joining the Maitland Matters Volunteer Program at Maitland Mental Health Unit. .

This rewarding role involves providing calm companionship, supporting light engagement activities, assisting with the unit’s clothing pool, and helping set up welcoming communal spaces.

Key Tasks:

• Spend time with consumers in communal areas
• Support light activities (e.g. puzzles, colouring, music)
• Assist with sorting and preparing clothing donations
• Set up shared spaces and keep activity areas tidy

Skills Required:

• Kindness, calmness, and strong interpersonal skills
• Respectful and non-judgmental attitude
• Practical and reliable
• Comfortable in an acute mental health setting
• Committed to one regular shift per week (min. 12 months)

Shifts Available:

Weekday mornings (8:30am–12:30pm) or afternoons (1:30pm–5:30pm)

Bring connection, dignity, and warmth to someone’s day.

Hunter New England Mental Health - Mater Site, Waratah

Join us to help share the story of our volunteer service and promote mental health awareness in our community. You’ll assist with creating content for our Stronger Together newsletter and support mental health events by helping prepare engaging resources and displays. This role offers a great way to contribute your communication skills, learn new things, and make a positive difference.

Key Tasks:

• Help gather stories and information about our volunteer service to build a shared history.
• Assist with preparing and editing articles and content for the Stronger Together newsletter.
• Support the creation of resources and displays for mental health awareness events.
• Work with the Volunteer Manager and other volunteers to produce engaging materials for internal and external audiences.
• Ensure all communications are clear, consistent, and friendly.

Shifts Available: 
Weekdays only. 

• Mornings: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
• Afternoons: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm