Busselton volunteers keep community connected

Keeping the community connected is the cornerstone of the Busselton Pride Alliance with volunteer Clare Paine adamant their work wouldn’t successful without many hands making light work.

Ms Paine, who is also the director or the Pride Wellbeing Festival, said both organisations were run by volunteers committed to improving connection and wellbeing in the coastal city.

“Volunteers are absolutely at the centre of everything, because we couldn’t do anything without the basic things and are blessed with a whole lot of wonderful volunteers who are keen to help others,” she said.

“One of the really easy things that we can do to help the LGBTQ+ community is just making sure they are connected with each other.

“Making sure they’ve got peer support, can share information, share experiences and connect with others. It’s a really simple thing to do, but we know it’s so meaningful for people’s lives.”

Ms Paine said the Busselton Pride Alliance would be celebrating National Volunteer Week from May 19 with an event on May 24.

“We’re going to be screen printing some T-shirts, making some badges, and we’re going to be chatting with people — letting them know what we do and the opportunities there that they might want to help us with,” she said.

“It’s part of our National Volunteer Week event and we’re just hoping to celebrate the volunteers we have, and hopefully welcoming new volunteers as well.

“Busselton is really blessed with how many just amazing, committed, dedicated volunteers out there doing so much for the community.

“It’s an assortment of volunteers across the whole community that keep everything running, and we are really happy to be part of that and work alongside them to achieve great things.”

This year’s national theme is about prioritising community connection and the impact volunteers have on local areas.