SUPPORTING vulnerable people through health and social problems, as well as providing help during natural disasters and conflict, is a cornerstone of Red Cross Limestone Coast’s philosophy.
With a global network of 80 million people in 190 countries, Red Cross is considered a vital not-for-profit organisation across the world.
While fortunate to have limited experience with disaster or wartime scenarios, Limestone Coast regional manager David Walshaw said the community service was focused on improving quality of life.
“From research, demographers can tell us there are more people living today then those who have ever died,” Mr Walshaw said.
“Now it is common to see four or five generations living together at any one time.
“This puts enormous strain on support, health, medical and social services and Red Cross aims to ease those strains.”
Mr Walshaw said the Limestone Coast branch provided a broad range of community services including transport, health and wellbeing support and even a home handyman service.
The Limestone Coast regional manager said there was an endless stream of people who required support.
“Our philosophy is although we cannot help everybody, everyone can help somebody,” he said.
“We do some wonderful work in our community but we could not do it alone and rely heavily on volunteers.
“We have approximately 140 volunteers across the South East and I think it is beneficial for them to see the immediate impact we have on the ground and how every day we make a difference.”
Red Cross is often first point of contact during natural disasters and Mr Walshaw said volunteers were always at the front line.
“The organisation is guided by a fundamental sense of principles in everything we do which include humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality,” Mr Walshaw said.
“Most of the time when people think of Red Cross they automatically think blood service, but they do not actually understand what is happening on the ground.
“We create positive experiences for people suffering from extreme vulnerable, social isolation and hardship.”
Mr Walshaw said migrants and refugees were becoming a large component of Mount Gambier’s landscape, with the organisation helping to support new arrivals.
“It is important we have the appropriate structures in place for people who are choosing to live in our region,” the regional director said.
“Our transport service is the biggest program we have here in the Limestone Coast and saw us travel over 300,000km last year.
“From discussion with other social services, travel is the biggest issue vulnerable people face and our organisation aims to help.”
Mr Walshaw said being part of Red Cross was the most rewarding job during his whole working life.
“Everyone can become a part of our organisation and we want to provide people with as much experience as possible,” he said.
“By creating a network we are able to help get the Red Cross’ out there among the wider community and the region.
“We are just one cog in the machine of other community service agencies who we liaise with to help grow our region and the community.”
For more information on how to become a volunteer, visit the Australian Red Cross website or contact the Limestone Coast branch.
