Community Volunteers Grant for Red Cross Emergency Team

The local Red Cross Emergency Support Volunteers Team has been successful in gaining funding through the Community Grants Hub 2021 Volunteer Grants. Volunteer Grants is part of the Australian Government’s commitment to assist volunteers and encourage volunteering. Our local team has been awarded $4,700 to assist with team training, increase participation and promote awareness of volunteering opportunities with Red Cross, and adjust policies and procedures to ensure volunteer safety in the coronavirus pandemic. The funding is provided just for twelve months and will be administered through Red Cross Australia.

“We are thrilled to have been chosen for this funding” said local Team Convenor Kate Lemerle. “Our training over the last 18 months has been supported by Red Cross NSW through the wonderful donations made by many people to Red Cross, but obviously this money has to be shared around all Emergency Services teams. Having our own independent financial support, even if just for a year, guarantees we have that money to invest in training our local team, as well as promoting the fantastic work of Red Cross within the Norfolk Island community”.

The Red Cross Emergency Services Volunteers undergo a one-day basic course in Psychological First Aid and must pass a rigorous assessment and application process to become volunteers for Red Cross. Successful applicants then participate in monthly training sessions to extend their skills not just in providing emotional support in emergency situations, but also a wide range of skills in preparing the community for disasters as well as helping with the recovery afterwards.

“Training opportunities on Norfolk Island for disaster management has been very limited up to now, but we hope to be able to fill this gap and ensure that we build the capacity of our community to apply solid evidence-based approaches to disaster management using this funding”, said Dr Lemerle.

Anyone interested in joining the local team is invited to contact Kate on 52112.