Meet Bill Timms, who has been volunteering at our Connections Centre for eighteen years.
It all started twenty years ago. Bill decided to retire from his long-term career as a security officer in Sydney and moved to his favourite holiday destination. He had spent most of his life visiting and holds some of his fondest fishing memories there.
The kind-hearted volunteer moved to Tweed Heads to find a part-time job to keep himself busy, seeing as his new life as a retiree gave him a lot of free time. Being a 50-year-old at the time, he faced challenges in securing a job and only heard back from a few job applications.
Thankfully, Bill’s world opened up to volunteering when he was provided with a list of volunteer jobs available in his region.
“I picked out Momentum Collective’s Connections Centre, which at the time was a drop-in centre for clients looking for help with their mental wellbeing. I went for an interview and started the day after doing the gardens and lawn”.
“It’s been a pleasant 18 years I have volunteered at Momentum Collective. I have witnessed some amazing recovery with clients who have come to Connections Centre, and gone off to live more independently having their lives improved due to the support they received at the centre”.
“The goal of most Connections’ clients is to improve their wellbeing and gain independence. It is such a pleasure to see most people achieve that when they leave the Centre. It’s a great place for people to interact and look after their mental health” said Bill.
For the last couple of years, Bill has been running a weekly catch-up group for Momentum’s clients to enjoy complimentary coffee and have a safe and supportive space to talk about whatever is on their minds.
Bill has discovered many talents during his volunteering journey, from honing his excellent gardening skills to learning fundamental techniques of listening and responding to mental health clients when they most need help.
Bill joins the centre member’s meetings weekly and strongly encourages everyone at the centre to attend. It’s a chance for staff, clients, and volunteers to discuss meal ideas for the week, community outing suggestions, and other essential matters.
“It’s a great thing to see so many people volunteer and give back to their community. In my experience, I have observed that volunteering helps you and the people you volunteer with – it gives you a shared sense of purpose. What you put in, you get back out of it. It’s a rewarding feeling”, said Bill.
National Volunteer Week is significant to Momentum Collective. It gives us a chance to celebrate and recognise our volunteers and thank them for the endless hours dedicated to our clients, staff, and communities.
“It’s a great thing to see so many people volunteer and give back to their community. In my experience, I have observed that volunteering helps you and the people you volunteer with – it gives you a shared sense of purpose. What you put in, you get back out of it. It’s a rewarding feeling”. – Momentum Collective Volunteer, Bill.
If you are looking to give back to the community and want to find out more about our Volunteers programs please call our friendly team on 1300 900 091.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work, and pay respect to Ancestors, Elders both past, present and the emerging Jarjums.
