Volunteering with Burdekin
Volunteering work Sydney, NSW
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Volunteer and help young people thrive!
With your time, care and support, you can make a big difference in a young person's life, helping them grow, learn, and feel connected. Volunteering is a rewarding way to give back, and makes a lasting impact where it matters most.
Burdekin has been empowering young people for nearly 40 years.
"Volunteers can transform a young person's life, inspiring confidence and nurturing the skills they need to succeed.”
Volunteering in Sydney
We have a range of volunteering work in Sydney, depending on your skills and interests.
Volunteering with young people
Connect, guide and empower.
The young people we work with have gone through tough times, which can make it hard for them to grow up in a stable way. They might have faced problems like abuse, neglect, bereavement or being separated from their families. Because of these challenges, they may struggle in school and find it difficult to become independent adults without the usual support and guidance from a family.
Consistent support and positive role models are essential for our young people, helping them build resilience, confidence, and the skills necessary to navigate life successfully.
When volunteering with young people, you help support them during their formative years, you can impact their long-term well-being and help them achieve stable, fulfilling lives as they grow into adulthood.
Volunteering with young people is an incredibly rewarding way to spend your time.
Volunteer with young people in Sydney
Volunteer driving support
In a Burdekin vehicle, you’ll volunteer with a young person who has had at least five professional driving lessons.
People who take on this role often find it easy to connect. The shared goal of getting a driver's licence helps both you and the young person stay motivated, and that feeling when they get their licence...celebration!
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1.5 to 3 hours per week
Volunteer education mentor
Do you have a passion for education? Some of our young poeple find schoolwork and learning difficult and need extra support to stay motivated. This volunteering role could be at their home or out in a community, space such as a library. You may help with homework, planning for assessments, mindset and more!
Your enthusiasm for education can help encourage them to believe in themselves and understand their potential to learn and achieve educational goals.
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1.5 to 3 hours per week
Volunteer independent living skills support
Volunteering with young people often starts with the basics! We are looking for volunteers to support our young people as they learn essential skills for "adulting" i.e. how to shop wisely on a budget, how to prepare and cook meals, and tidy up afterwards.
You could help them build confidence in using public transport and show them how to travel independently around Sydney. Our goal is to empower our young people to feel capable in their everyday lives.
This volunteer role in Sydney may occur at the young person’s home or out and about depending on the skills you are sharing.
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1.5 to 3 hours per week
Volunteer mentor
A volunteer mentor is a trusted and caring adult for a young person, that connect over engaging activities that you both enjoy.
This might involve creating art together, taking walks (maybe even with your dog), providing rides to events, attending matches, visiting cafes, or exploring Sydney’s sights. The possibilities are endless once you both agree on the activities to do together.
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1.5 to 3 hours per week
Social support volunteer
Similar to our volunteer mentors our social support volunteers connect with a young person weekly, doing activities like sharing a meal, getting your nails done, going to events or simply spending time together.
The goal is to help them build social skills and boost their confidence, making them feel more connected to the community.
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1.5 to 3 hours per week
Skilled-based volunteering
Do you have a special skill you can share? In this volunteer role, you will offer specialised skill-based support to a young person interested in learning from you.
For example:
- Teach an instrument, such as guitar, piano, or drums.
- Explore hobbies like fishing, tennis, golf, or cycling, and help them improve their skills.
- Share financial management skills, including: budgeting, planning, tax returns, investing, and avoiding debt.
- Offer employment support - assist with job applications, resume writing, mock interviews, professional etiquette, and basic skills.
- Enjoy sports activities together, such as bouldering, kayaking, snorkelling, or ice skating.
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1.5 to 3 hours per week
“I’ve been involved on both sides of our amazing program. It’s great to see so many of our young people benefit & flourish from the time spent with their volunteers and the special rapport they build that can go beyond their time in out-of-home care.
I love being a person to listen when things aren’t going so well, and helping celebrate the wins and seeing our young people grow! The volunteering work at Burdekin positively impacts life outcomes for real people.”
— Kerri M, NB Volunteer Coordinator —
Admin and event volunteering work Sydney
Help us achieve our goals!
Admin and event volunteering work in Sydney
Help us make Burdekin work!
We need admin volunteers in Sydney to help with answering phones, managing emails, greeting guests, and event coordination.
If you’re creative and love organising events, we have volunteer event roles in Sydney on an as-needed basis, especially around events like National Volunteer Week, NSW Youth Week, National Reconcilation Week, and NAIDOC Week, and for sporting events and fundraising events. We look for events people who are creative, organised and who get things done!
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2 to 3 hours per week
Corporate volunteering in Sydney
Volunteering opportunities for your team!
Corporate volunteering offers a meaningful way to give back to the community, whilst promoting social responsibility in your teams. When you participate in community events, working bees, and/or donate products, you provide critical assistance to children and young people at-risk. Your fresh ideas, skills, and resources will directly impact their lives.
Corporatre volunteering also gives you and your team the chance to develop new skills, boost staff engagement, and job satisfaction—all while contributing to a worthy cause.
Contact us to discuss volunteering opportunities that may fit your team or organisation, whether you're organising a company-wide event or have a smaller group eager to help.
For an inspiring example, Ben & Jerry's provided the human power needed to makeover two of our properties where our young people reside.
Ben and Jerrys Volunteer Day
Ben and Jerrys Community Day Northern Beaches
Corporate volunteering is an immensely positive way to create a meaningful experience for your people because it directly benefits vulnerable children and young people. To learn more, please reach out to our Volunteering Coordinator at volunteer@burdekin.org.au.
Become a volunteer and make a difference!
Become a volunteer and make a difference! With just a few hours a week and a willingness to share your time and skills, you can genuinely make a difference! Fill out your details below to receive the next steps in becoming a volunteer with Burdekin
