At Volunteering Gold Coast, we believe that anything is possible through the power of volunteerism. We recognise the significant value that volunteering brings to the community and aim to spread this impact across the whole of the Gold Coast.
As a legacy Gold Coast charity, Volunteering Gold Coast continues to drive social impact through initiatives which build stronger and more inclusive communities. Everything we do ensures that we not only increase the number of people we support, but also enhance the impact that our services have on individuals and the broader community.
Volunteering Gold Coast (VGC) is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all Children & Young People (CYP) who are involved in VGC. Our policies and procedures seek to address risks to child safety and to establish a child-safe culture with practices in line with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
We promote equity, respect and diversity by:
The VGC Board endorses the Child Safe commitment to keeping CYP safe from abuse and neglect.
We are the Gold Coast’s only Volunteer Resource Centre, connecting and supporting local Not-For-Profits and people in the community wanting to give back through volunteer recruitment, volunteer management support and free training for volunteers and organisations.
For over 20 years, we have been offering affordable transport options for seniors over 65, people with disabilities and chronic illnesses and, more recently, NDIS recipients. This is championed by a team of volunteer drivers who are dedicated to providing a safe and efficient service.
Volunteering Gold Coast is proud to deliver specialized NDIS, aged care and mental health services. In doing so, we can ensure that Gold Coast residents have access to all opportunities available without any barriers in their way.
Extend the impact of services and programs through a volunteering movement that empowers purposeful, connected and inclusive communities.
Volunteering is to be valued and embraced as a mechanism to enrich communities and address disadvantages.
Volunteering Gold Coast Established
Transport Services Started
Transport Consortium Formed
Head Office Relocated to Miami
Volunteering Services expanded to West Moreton & Tasmania
VGC becomes an NDIS provider
Introduction of: Oncology Transport Service CVS Accessible Beaches Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives
63,000 trips per year Supporting 10,000+ customers Supporting 4000+ people in volunteering Supporting 100+ NFP Member organisations
Established in 1998 through funding from the Home and Community Care (HACC) program, and auspiced by the Family Support Group (FSG), Volunteering Gold Coast quickly became the lead agency for volunteer services.
In the early days, the services offered by Volunteering Gold Coast were limited, and volunteers were responsible for providing support and care for the frail, aged and disabled, and their carers. Linked to this support program was the growing need for transport options to shopping centres and community activities, and to mitigate the social isolation experienced by so many. So in 2002, Volunteering Gold Coast Transport Services was founded.
Comprising the two sectors, Volunteering Gold Coast primary objective was to support and enrich HACC services and customers through the development of a strong volunteer contribution.
In 2002, Volunteering Gold Coast Transport Services had only two vehicles and a handful of part-time volunteer drivers and office staff. The increased demand for services prompted the beginnings of the Transport Consortium, which pooled local assets to maximise resources and funding. The Consortium was an instant success, rapidly expanding its operations throughout the West Moreton and South Coast funding areas.
Volunteering Gold Coast Head Office The Volunteering Services sector of the organisation, then located at Southport, increased its range of services, through the provision of a resource consultancy and volunteer referral service for individual volunteers, community organisations and Not-For-Profit organisations.
In 2012, each having outgrown multiple locations, the two arms of Volunteering Gold Coast moved into centrally located headquarters at Miami. The building brought better prospects, increased parking for community transport vehicles, greater office space and a corporate style street frontage.
In 2013, Volunteering Gold Coast launched its hugely successful boutique pre-loved fashion store, Memento Charity Store. Dedicated to providing high quality clothing, shoes and accessories to improve the lives of others, the store quickly gained a reputation within the community as a provider of low-cost, stylish clothing and accessories. All proceeds raised from the store directly assisted community organisations in delivering essential resources and services to the Gold Coast.
Volunteering Gold Coast was instrumental in securing the 23rd International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE) World Volunteer Conference, held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition (GCCEC) in 2014. Playing host to more than 30 countries, the event inspired the leaders of Volunteering Gold Coast to further expand its operations.
On 30 June 2014, Volunteering Gold Coast launched its national volunteering initiative, Volunteering Services Australia. On the back of Volunteering Gold Coast local success, Volunteering Services Australia was created with the aim of developing a network of community development services to assist not-for-profit and charitable organisations. Volunteering Services Australia is currently enhancing regional volunteer culture in Ipswich and Jimboomba in Queensland.
From its inception, and until today, Volunteering Gold Coast Transport Services remains one of the top three community transport service providers in the country and continues to operate on the foundation of supporting and enriching the lives of others through volunteer contribution.
