Tanya’s Gift of Friendship

Tanya’s volunteering journey began with Multicultural Care a few years ago when she joined the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme to be a companion to older people. The rewarding experience ignited a passion in Tanya for giving back to her community.

“My volunteer career started when I was a national finalist in the Ms Galaxy Australia pageant. There is a requirement to do volunteer work. When I started looking for work, somebody told me that Multicultural Care would be best for me. I applied through Seek and got it,” Tanya says.

As a volunteer, Tanya visits socially isolated residents living at Uniting The Marion in Leichhardt to offer friendship and companionship by sitting with them to chat about their lives.

“I have a counselling background. I love listening to people and love to support them. Once I started doing [the volunteering with Multicultural Care], I started loving it. I’m learning lots from the people I meet and helping them as well, which I love,” Tanya explains.

Tanya is someone who thrives on being busy. She works part-time in her own counselling private practice, is studying a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy and also volunteers with Lifeline and Maronites on Mission.

Although she has a busy schedule, making time to visit Multicultural Care clients once or twice a month is important to Tanya because she understands how some people can feel lonely.

“I can see those living in aged care, how desperate they are to meet their family members, but nobody comes to meet them. Being from a culturally diverse background, sometimes I feel lonely here. I know the feeling, so I don’t want somebody else to feel that way,” she says.

“When I connect to an older person, I make them feel like they have someone. This is why I say by helping others indirectly you help yourself.”

Tanya says Multicultural Care’s diverse community appealed to her when she was looking for an organisation to volunteer with.

“I’m from an Indian background. Coming from a diverse background, it’s easy for me to connect with the clients, particularly those who also have a diverse background.”

Although life is getting busier, Tanya says she wants to continue volunteering with Multicultural Care whenever she has the time. She also encourages others interested in a volunteering career to consider Multicultural Care.

The aged care sector and Multicultural Care have welcomed her with open arms, she says. “I feel very supported by Multicultural Care and also at the Uniting facility I visit. Everyone I meet there is very lovely and kind. That makes you feel better. Kindness is the beauty of this industry.

“The happiness you get from bringing a smile to someone’s face when you volunteer is very special. That’s happiness you will not get anywhere else.”

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