VOLUNTEERING

make a difference

Volunteer with the Stitch Community

Since 2014, over 980 volunteers have made an impact on social isolation & loneliness in over 50 cities worldwide.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Stitch Community, a not-for-profit charity dedicated to addressing loneliness and social isolation for the members of society over 50 years old who need it most.

Loneliness is considered the “the epidemic of the 21st century”, with research increasingly proving that it is far worse for your health than obesity, poor diet, alcohol or lack of exercise.

No matter your age or experience, we’d love your help in addressing loneliness in your local community. Could you be our next  Stitch Community volunteer?

the four options

Volunteering with the Stitch Community

Community champion volunteering

For people who would like to help the Stitch Community get started or more active in their area (or beyond), and are attracted to the idea of organizing regular events to help people connect 

COMMUNITY ENABLER VOLUNTEERING

For people who want to assist individual members of the community who face barriers which prevent them from fully participating

COMMUNITY EVANGELIST VOLUNTEERING

For people who want to help spread the word about Stitch, raise awareness of the community, and help get new members to join or community organizations to participate

COMMUNITY EXPERT VOLUNTEERING

For people who have other skills or expertise they would like to contribute to the Stitch Community to help make it successful

Grow the community

Community Champion Volunteering

Community Champion Volunteers are people who are attracted to the idea of organizing regular events to help people connect.

Community Champion Volunteers grow the community in new areas by:

  • Committing to holding a regular event or activity for the Stitch community over a 12 month period (in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these will be virtual events). These events can be weekly, fortnightly or monthly. 
  • Optional: Establishing a Stitch Group based on their interests.

You will need to be a member of Stitch to be a Community Champion Volunteer, and must meet the minimum age requirement of 50 years old.

Interested? Register to an upcoming volunteering information session to learn more and ask any question you have. 

spread the word

Community Evangelist Volunteering

Community Evangelist Volunteers are people who want to help spread the word about Stitch and raise awareness of the community.

Community Evangelists get involved in a variety of ways, which can include:

  • Representing their local Stitch community at promotional events (e.g. answering questions about Stitch at a booth at a Seniors’ Expo)
  • Posting fliers about the community in their local area
  • Contacting local media organizations to raise awareness
  • Coming up with creative ideas to promote Stitch in their local area

You don’t need to be a member of Stitch to volunteer for some of these activities,
but it definitely helps if you are.

Interested? Fill out the form at the bottom of this page to apply, or learn more by selecting the button below.

one-on-one companionship

Community Enabler Volunteering

Community Enablers are people who want to assist individual members of the community who face barriers which prevent them from fully participating in Stitch.

Stitch will be working with other not-for-profit organizations to maintain a register of people who need a little bit of help to be part of Stitch, and to buddy them with Community Enabler Volunteers in their area.

Community Enablers may get involved in a variety of ways, which may include:

  • Calling their buddy by phone to tell them about upcoming Stitch Activities
  • Helping with transport or other logistical challenges
  • Providing regular check-in phone calls

You don’t need to be a member of Stitch to be a Community Enabler Volunteer, but it’s great if you are.

Interested? Fill out the form at the bottom of this page to apply, or learn more by selecting the button below.

Share your knowledge

Community Expert Volunteering

Community Expert Volunteers are people who have skills or expertise they would like to contribute to the Stitch Community to help make it successful.

There is no limit to the sorts of things which Community Expert Volunteers can get involved in, but some examples of areas we have had help from members has included:

  • Workshops on mental health run by members with a psychology background
  • Providing technical training sessions to Stitch members
  • Using their professional networks to link Stitch to existing government, health, and community organizations
  • Providing sponsorship and media opportunities through their existing businesses
  • Running verification sessions to help new members get verified

Interested? Fill out the form at the bottom of this page to apply, or learn more by selecting the button below.

I enjoyed volunteering at the Seniors Festival and working with the other volunteers. I’d love to do it again
next year!
Geri
Community Evangelist Volunteer
I enjoy spreading the word about Stitch. Anytime you need help spreading the Stitch gospel
don't hesitate to call.
Stitch Community Evangelist, Jim
Jim
Community Evangelist Volunteer
I started hosting regular events in 2018, and haven't stopped since. It
is fair to say that volunteering for Stitch has changed my life.
Stitch Community Champion, Linda
Linda
Community Champion Volunteer
Get INVOLVED

Join the movement

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Stitch Community Volunteer and joining the movement to address loneliness and social isolation in your local community. Please fill in the below form and a friendly Stitch Community staff member will be in touch with next steps.