At Big Group Hug, our volunteers are the heart of everything we do. Volunteering to help children in need with us is about connection, community, and the joy of knowing you’ve helped someone get through a tough time. Many of our volunteers speak of the friendships they’ve made, the warm and fuzzy feeling that comes from giving back, and the positive impact it’s had on their own wellbeing. Whether it’s sorting baby clothes, packing urgent requests or simply sharing a cuppa at break time, the sense of purpose and togetherness is hard to miss.
Thinking about joining us? Don’t take it from us – hear it straight from the people who show up each week to make it all happen. These are their stories, in their own words.
Venus
Tarneit Hub Supervisor
What do you do here and how long have you been here?
I’ve been at the Tarneit Hub since it opened in January 2024. My role here is to help the inductions, put the request on the shelves, sort the clothes and the toys – pretty much everything!
What does volunteering mean to you?
For me, it’s very humbling. I can be me. I can meet people. It’s actually made me more confident as a person. I’ve never really done volunteering and this place makes things so much better for me.
How has volunteering at Big Group Hug impacted you or your life?
A lot! So many people have told me: “Oh, I’m so proud of you, mum, for what you’re doing; helping others”. It actually got me closer to my friends and family.
What’s one way you show a bit of extra love or care in your tasks?
Probably being more fussy. So if I don’t like something, I wouldn’t give it to somebody else.
What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering at Big Group Hug?
Do it! It’s so welcoming here. How we give ourselves to each other.
Ann
Queen of the Tarneit Toy Department
What do you do here and how long have you been here?
It’s going to be a year in August since I’ve been volunteering and I look after the toys and the books.
What does volunteering mean to you?
It means the world. It’s just a humbling feeling just to do a little bit for a child. It’s amazing. That’s why I love it.
How has volunteering at Big Group Hug impacted you or your life?
It has impacted me a lot. I was in a bit of a dark place about a year ago, and I stumbled across the Hub here in Tarneit. It gave me my life back. It’s given me warm, fuzzy feeling. It’s given me friendships that will last a lifetime.
What’s one way you show a bit of extra love or care in your tasks?
I treat those things as my own. I’m asking myself, with the toys and the books, would my son play or read that?
What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering at Big Group Hug?
Do it. You won’t regret it.
Sally
Sorting Hero at Airport West
What do you do here and how long have you been here?
I’ve been here for now three weeks. I sort out children’s clothing, put them in separate bags, which is from 00000 all up to size 16 for boys and for girls. And there’s also toys that need to be sorted out, books, stationery.
What does volunteering mean to you?
It means a lot to me. I’m contributing to the community, helping out the people who need help, and I feel good about myself.
How has volunteering at Big Group Hug impacted your life?
Tremendously! I feel grateful that I’ve met such lovely people in the Big Group Hug. Everyone’s so welcoming and I always walk out with a smile.
What’s one way you show a bit of extra love and care in your task?
I would say just put in put in my emotion into what I do and with love and care. Tender, love, and care.
What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering at Big Group Hug?
Well, if they got the time and a bit of spare time on their hands, why not go for it? We are a bunch of lovely people.
What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering at Big Group Hug?
I would say it’s a very worthwhile charity and, by all means, if you have got the time, it would be worthwhile coming to help a little bit.
Beverley
Sorting Champion at Airport West
What do you do here and how long have you been here?
I’ve been here just over a year. I volunteer to check the clothes and make sure everything’s clean and all the buttons work, the zips work, studs work, toys are cleaned and put away. Sort through clothes as well as blankets, sheets and all that sort of stuff. And I love my job. I’ve been volunteering for twenty four years and if I wasn’t doing it, I’d miss it.
What does volunteering mean to you?
It means a lot to me because there’s a lot of people out there that are worse off than we are and they need help, you know. So if you got someone that’s capable of doing that or able to do that, that’s really good for them.
How has volunteering at Big Group Hug impacted your life?
I’ve got hubby working now, so it’s really good because I’ve got him to come and, drive the van rather than sit at home and play computer games. So it’s good for him as well as me. And we don’t have to come in separate cars!
What’s one way you show a bit of extra love and care in your task?
I take clothes and toys home and wash. Also, if there’s anything there like small blankets that need cleaning, I’ll do that.
What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering at Big Group Hug?
I’d encourage it! I’d tell anyone to come and have an interview and see if they like it. When I first walked in here, I didn’t know whether this job would suit me or not. And I looked around and then I had an induction, what you do and all that, and I said “I reckon I can do that”. So there you go. I’d encourage anybody else to do voluntary work. It doesn’t matter what it is because it’s good for the environment and good for people. We really need help. It makes a beautiful impact.
Jenny
Queen of the Big Group Hug Ebay Store at Airport West
What do you do here, and how long have you been here?
I’ve been here just over twelve months. I started sorting and then I had an interest in the e-Bay. So I started the eBay and hopefully, bringing it up to a decent standard of raising some money for kids in need.
What does volunteering mean to you?
Volunteering means giving back to the community, giving back to the organisation, but I feel that I receive far more than I give.
How has volunteering at Big Group Hug impacted you or your life?
It’s so funny now. I came to Big Group Hug at a low point in my life because of my personal family matters and I knew I needed an outlet to give my energy somewhere else. And I’ve embraced it, and I love it, and I bounce out of bed every Monday and Wednesday.
What’s one way you show a bit of extra love and care in your tasks?
I’m a hugger. I embrace the people that wanna be embraced because some of the ladies come here, wanting the emotional outlet as well as, giving of themselves. They appreciate it.
What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering in Big Group Hug?
I would say that it’s a very small area, especially at Airport West, so we become close. It’s about meeting people, and being able to enjoy their company. I love the diversity of the people volunteering – there’s so much to be learned in that.
Maurice
Delivering hope
What do you do here and how long have you been here?
I drive the van, transport goods between two different facilities, Thomastown and Airport West, and I’ve been here about six months.
What does volunteering mean to you?
As I’m retired it gives me something to occupy my time with, and my wife also volunteers, so it’s just good that whatever little effort we are doing is helping somebody.
How has volunteering at Big Group Hug impacted you or your life?
It is good to learn how the charity works and the people they’re looking after.
What’s one way where you show a bit of extra love and care and care in your tasks?
I try and keep the organisation of this place as simple as possible, so that those people that pick up the boxes that I store know where they are.
What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering at Big Group Hug?
I would say it’s a very worthwhile charity and, by all means, if you have got the time, it would be worthwhile coming to help a little bit.
Bonnie
Sorting children’s items with heart
What do you do here and how long have you been here?
I’ve been here for a couple of months now and I do sorting. I love sorting! I just like the order of sorting.
What does volunteering mean to you?
I have a background and degree in community development. I worked in a neighbourhood house for eight years and I’ve worked in research in aged care at The Brotherhood of St Laurence. And for me it’s multifaceted. It serves the good. And I like the Big Group Hug because it’s actually a direct service. I volunteer at an op shop and we sell things. But here I love that idea of it’s a direct service. It’s also for me because I’m retired and I like to do things. Our only child lives overseas and I have no grandchildren, but I like the little things and kid’s clothes. And also in my life I’ve used services and things like that. I think you should always respect the donor. And you respect the items because the donor has given them to you, and then you respect the people that we pass the items on to. So, for me, it’s very much respect. It’s very important.
How has volunteering at Big Group Hug impacted your life?
Because I have no family around me, I’m friends with people at the other volunteering place. But I came into this group and I feel like I’ve been here forever. We laugh a lot, we talk, and then we have a morning tea. I like it because there’s no personality clashes. Nobody worries about that. And then we go home. Everybody here just settles in straight away. They’re amazing. I’ve worked with a lot of women like Bev and I always admire them. She does so much, but I find her and everybody else really easy to get on with. Volunteering at Big Group Hug enhanced my life because I now have another group of people to be around.
What’s one way you show a bit of extra love or care in your tasks?
I’m very particular about what clothes I put through. I think of the mother, or the family and the child who is getting that item. When I was growing up, I got hand-me-downs my whole life. I think about giving somebody something that is basically new. I’m very particular. The end result is very important. That pleasure that a child and a mother would get.
There was a coat, a beautiful little girl’s coat. I think about when I was the age that coat would be for. And how great it would be to get it. I put my myself in that little girl’s shoes – what she would feel knowing that it was basically nearly new, not just something that was handed down from the neighbour or your sister.
What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering at the Big Group Hug?
I’d say come along! I’m a local and I thought “that sounds perfect”, you know? As person who likes systems, it really impresses me how it’s so efficient here. New volunteers are not going to be confused about what to do, because everybody’s so open to answering any question.
Kamal
Driving with impact
What do you do here and how long have you been here?
I came to know about Big Group Hug last year, and my family and I started by donating kids’ items for families in need. Last month, I registered as a volunteer and now assist by driving the van and helping with deliveries.
What does volunteering mean to you?
It’s about giving back to the community and supporting those in need. I love the cause and the motive behind Big Group Hug – just using my time to help someone else. Simple as that.
How has volunteering at Big Group Hug impacted you or your life?
It’s been humbling. It gives me a break from the busy corporate world – away from the pressure and deadlines. I get to meet new people and see how much others in the community are doing with genuine intention. It reminds me to appreciate the little things and shows that real impact often comes from small, consistent actions.
What’s one way you show a bit of extra love or care in your tasks?
I treat every pick-up and drop-off like I’m doing it for my own family. A little extra care and respect goes a long way.
What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering at Big Group Hug?
Don’t overthink it – just show up. The team here makes it so simple and welcoming. There are no KPIs or pressure – just a little time out of your week that leaves you feeling like you genuinely made a difference. And that’s something special.
Interested in volunteering with us?
Volunteering with Big Group Hug means joining a warm, welcoming community that’s making a real difference for vulnerable children and families doing it tough. With opportunities at our Thomastown, Airport West, and Tarneit sites—as well as remote roles—you can get involved in a way that works for you, knowing your time truly matters.
