News
A new generation of volunteers
Wed, 04 Apr 2018 05:39:00
A student education program is helping local teenagers become valuable contributors to their community.
Students from St Joseph’s College visit Vision Australia in March every year to learn how they can support people who are blind or have low vision.
Vision Australia service engagement consultant Sally Edwards said by coming to the Mildura centre, the students could better understand how the organisation assists the vision impaired.
“It’s good for young people to learn about the services in their community because the more they know, the better they are as contributors to that community,” Ms Edwards said.
“We talk to them about what life is like for people who are blind or have low vision, and the services and equipment available to help them be more independent.
“The students are also able to experience what it’s like to have low vision by playing swish – a game similar to table tennis – wearing glasses that simulate different eye conditions.”
St Joseph’s College teacher Teresa Hagen said about 40 students visited Vision Australia this month as part of a subject that teaches them about volunteering.
Ms Hagen said the students spend time learning about local organisations that rely on volunteers to run, before doing some volunteer work themselves.
“We teach them to advocate and speak up for people, so seeing things from another’s point of view is really important,” she said.
“Out of the classroom they get a broader perspective of who needs help and what’s being done for them in the community.
“They also understand more about the importance of volunteering and how it can relate to them in the future.”
Ms Hagen said the program was designed to help students stay engaged in school.
“Young people can become disengaged when they feel like they don’t fit in or can’t contribute,” she said.
“For students who don’t have much success at school, going to places like Vision Australia and having a conversation with someone can change their whole view of themselves.”