By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
IT’S a partnership that’s delivered more than toys.
When the Cranbourne Library’s toy library looked like it might close in January this year the Balla Balla Community centre decided to inject some love into it.
“We decided to support it and we got Outlook Disability Services on board, too,” Balla Balla manager Marree Cullinan said.
Now with five volunteers running the library, Maree said the partnership has delivered some amazing outcomes for clients, volunteers and the community.
“It’s provided our volunteers from Outlook with an opportunity to get out into the community and for many it would be their first experience at customer service,” she said.
And for volunteer Tim Sidney it’s become more than just a job.
“When I started at Outlook I did not want to volunteer or work. I now volunteer at the Cranbourne toy library every second Thursday,” he said.
“At first I needed staff support as I was not comfortable talking to unfamiliar people and was very unsure of what I was meant to do and needed lots of instruction.
“Now I have been volunteering independently for seven months and I am able to communicate with families, fill out forms when toys come in and go out, help take toys to the car and put away toys which are returned.”
A life changer in many ways, Tim’s job has become like a hobby he looks forward to, despite his disability.
“There have also been times where I have had to work with unfamiliar people and I have been able to do this confidently and show them what they needed to do,” he said.
“The toy library has increased my confidence overall especially when talking with new people.
“It has made me feel like a valued member of my community and, overall, I really enjoy my role there.”
The volunteers were recognised with an award for their services on Tuesday 15 December.
