Date joined Canteen: August 2023
What interested you about becoming a volunteer for Canteen?
When I first connected with Canteen in 2023, I was just looking to get involved in programs that support young mental health. I was hoping to grow my skills and experience in meaningful ways, though I wasn't sure what that might look like. The experiences I've gained since beginning are largely the reasons why I've stayed in the volunteer program long-term. It's been an absolute joy being a part of a team that supports young people navigating really challenging experiences, and helping them to form strong peer relationships.
How do you think it differs being a volunteer in a rural community over a big city?
Volunteering in a rural community often means working with smaller groups of young people, which is why fostering a strong culture of inclusion is especially important. In saying that, people who grew up or live in Darwin are generally pretty inclusive across all social groups. which reflects the cultural influence of local First Nations communities. The young people in the Canteen Darwin program are no exception to this, and are a credit to the overall inclusiveness of group programs.
What are some of your favourite experiences as a Volunteer?
My favorite experiences so far have come from the SANT PEER camp late last year. The team I worked with was so innately passionate about youth mental health and wellbeing, and it was really special to see all that passion directed into the program. As a result, the biggest highlight was seeing the difference between young people entering and exiting the weekend program. It really affirmed the importance of the work we do, and the reasons why we keep showing up.
Additional comments
Being a volunteer for Canteen is a genuinely meaningful experience, though that's largely because programs are organised and run so fantastically well.
