UnitingCare Glenelg Volunteers Acknowledged by SA Premier

Posted May 30, 2023 in News

Featured photo: MP for Morphett Stephen Patterson (second from left) celebrates with UCG volunteers, 
supporters and friends.

Volunteers Week 2023 will be remembered proudly as the year UnitingCare Glenelg (UCG) was honoured with The Premier's Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Volunteer Service.

To commemorate the happy event, UCG volunteers, congregation members, community supporters, church staff and friends gathered on a chilly Friday to celebrate with a morning tea. (A special thank you to Minister Rev Carol Chambers for nominating UCG volunteers, volunteer Helen for the cakes, and Office Administrator Marguerite Saint for event managing!).

A cheerful buzz filled the St Andrew’s by the Sea Uniting Church hall on 26th May as volunteers from different shifts and days caught up with each other and church congregation members as well as UCA Synod representatives including Mark Waters, Ann Cotton, Ian Dow, and Lawrie Linggood and MP for Morphett Stephen Patterson.

Co-ordinated by Lyn Mitchell, UCG community support services depend entirely on a team of over 60 Volunteers, monetary canned goods and clothing donations, in-kind support from SecondBite and local businesses like SA Gourmet Meats Caruso’s and Bakers Delight, plus funds raised through the Op Shop operating in the church hall.

UCG support services include day services on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday offering grocery items, bread, fruit and vegetables, toiletries, blankets clothing, travel cards and pharmaceutical vouchers to anyone who needs help. The more than 200 guests served each month at day services are offered free hot drinks, soups and snacks from the Friendship Café and a friendly ear by green-aproned volunteers. Every Tuesday evening, volunteers also cook, set-up and serve a 3-course sit-down community meal to 40+ guests at Mary’s Kitchen in the church hall and clean up afterwards.

Engaged and responsive, UCG volunteers strive to serve their community and tweak their offers as needs change, e.g. moving support out of the church hall into the church car-park, to offer Emergency Relief Services in groceries, and takeaway meals and drinks during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020. Now, as the cost-of-living crisis pushes hard, and with guest numbers relentlessly higher, the focus is turning to the challenges of securing more resources to continue the necessary support for our guests.

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