What Volunteers Do

There are opportunities to volunteer for TADVIC in a number of different areas.

Technical Volunteers
Technical volunteers make up the majority of TADVIC’s volunteer workforce. TADVIC technical volunteers are practical people, with technical or trade background who enjoy problem solving. They use the skills they have acquired in the workforce to make or modify equipment for people with disabilities. Technical volunteers need to have access to a workshop and/or tools as TADVIC does not have its own.

TADVIC’s technical volunteers work closely with a project coordinator (usually an occupational therapist). Once a project is raised, the project coordinator endeavours to match the volunteer and the client in relation to the skills required to complete the project and the locality of each. The volunteer, along with the project coordinator, visits the client at the place where the equipment is to be used (e.g. - home, school, workplace) to ensure that the solution will be both practical and appropriate to the client's needs and medical condition.

Clients reimburse volunteers for the cost of materials and the volunteers' travelling expenses. 

TADVIC projects can range from simply modifying handles to improve access to appliances around the home to the more complicated areas of lifting and supporting people with disabilities.

Volunteer work can be intermittent and depends on current project requirements and the volunteer’s commitments. Joining as a volunteer does not mean a commitment of time, and you are under no obligation to take on a project that is offered.

Freedom Wheels Volunteers

Volunteers who wish to be involved in the Freedom Wheels modified bike program can assist in any or all of the following stages:

1. Bike Assessment Clinics. The specific needs of clients are assessed by therapists and volunteers at regular bike clinics held in Melbourne and in selected regional centres in Victoria.

2. Bike Assembly. Once the needs of the client have been assessed, the bikes are assembled by technical volunteers at TADVIC's Melbourne Office.

3. Bike Courieur Service. Families of clients are encouraged to collect finished bikes from the Melbourne Office. TADVIC needs volunteers to assist with transport of bikes where this is not possible.

Other Roles for Volunteers

Administration Volunteers
TADVIC has opportunities for non-technical volunteers in various administrative roles.  Skills with computers, typing, filing, accounting and customer service are all valuable to TADVIC.

Public Relations Volunteers
Volunteering opportunities are available at TADVIC for people with experience in public relations, media liaison and/or public speaking to assist with promoting its services to the wider community.

Fundraising Volunteers
Opportunities exist for people with fundraising and/or submission writing experience to assist TADVIC to source much needed funding and donations from government, businesses, grants, trusts, community groups and the general public.