The Ryder Cheshire Australia
Tradition of Volunteering

Volunteering is an essential part of the work of Ryder Cheshire Australia (RCA), as well as within the Homes which we support in Australia (at Ivanhoe, Singleton and Mt Gambier) and at Raphael in India and Klibur Domin in East Timor. Volunteers have been contributing to the work of RCA since its inception over fifty years ago.
The committees which form RCA, the state and regional groups, and the groups governing each of the Homes, are composed entirely of volunteers who give generously of their time and expertise.  This ensures that 98 % of money raised is used directly for the purpose of the relief of suffering within the Homes and their outreach teams, with only 2 % set aside for independent financial auditing and occasional costs such as postage, paper and printing.  100% of money donated, including sponsorship payments, all of which is tax deductible, reaches our homes.  This is a remarkable achievement when compared with many of the larger charities that often achieve less than 70% and sometimes much less.
Within Ryder Cheshire Homes, volunteers undertake a variety of roles such as construction and maintenance; patient care; nursing; therapy; teaching; assisting teachers, carers and therapists; entertaining patients; technology; administrative support and fundraising.  Some people volunteer at a RCA home over many years, perhaps on a weekly basis, while others venture overseas to live-in and provide voluntary work at a Home for periods of time ranging from a few weeks to a year or more. Volunteers range in age from students to retirees, some have specific professional training, and all bring their own special gifts and abilities to their work within the Homes.
Volunteering is, of course, a two way street, and many volunteers say that they have gained much more than they have given.  Volunteers often acquire new life experiences, skills, friendships, insights and community links.
With their kind permission, we would like to share with you some comments and photos from three volunteers who have recently returned from Raphael.

Amelia Addamo-Hogan was at Raphael in November 1012 and says
“Raphael offers each volunteer a multi-tiered experience. Even if you initially choose to give assistance in one area, being in the school, hospital or one of the adult education programs, you will find yourself swept up in the spirit of the place and taking valuable life lessons from each part of the organisation.”

David Searle was at Raphael for several months and wrote
“I treasure my memories, about living in India, not just passing through, about the people I met at Raphael, about the other volunteers I met, and about the children, who took me out of my comfort zone, got me playing games, making me laugh and being inspirational.”

Jamie McCartney was at Raphael for three months in 2012 and says
“Even having heard and read stories of Raphael I had no idea what to expect when I began volunteering there. What I found and experienced lived up to and surpassed any expectations I’d previously had. I came away with a new found understanding, a love of children with mental and physical disabilities, some basic Hindi, an increased confidence within myself, a possible career change and a different outlook on life. Not bad for three months.”
RCA would like to take this opportunity to again thank all our volunteers, both past and present, for their inestimable contributions in working towards the relief of suffering. And, for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer please follow the link on this web page.