M's story

M is in his mid-thirties who has been volunteering with St Vincent de Paul Society in a Vinnies shop for almost 10 years. Prior to volunteering with St Vincent de Paul, M had worked in short-term roles in sales and telemarketing but found it difficult to continue due to a range of mental health concerns.

After applying for JobSeeker, M was told he needed to meet his mutual obligations to continue receiving his payments. M decided to volunteer with St Vincent de Paul two days a week as it was close to his home and easy to get to. M found that the Job Network were able to explain things in a way that he could understand if there was something he was unsure of; he said they were a good “gobetween” to provide him with guidance.

After his mutual obligation period ended in mid-2013, M realised how much he was enjoying his time as a Vinnies volunteer and decided to continue. M found the volunteering experience enriching as it got him out of the house, meeting new people, learning new skills, and giving back to the community.

While he initially found it challenging to wake up in time for his early morning volunteer shifts, volunteering with Vinnies continues to give M something to look forward to. While still on income support, M said it has given him a reason to stay motivated and connected to others, and that he feels more confident within himself as he has learnt new skills and ways of working. M commented that he feels he is a happier person overall and is enjoying taking things one day at a time.