General News
1 December, 2022
Groups mark end of year with call for volunteers
Like most community groups, Maryborough’s Riding Develops Abilities (RDA) marked its last ride for the year this week, unsaddling to prepare for 2023 as they try to solve a problem not unique to them — volunteer shortage. Scheduled to return in...
Like most community groups, Maryborough’s Riding Develops Abilities (RDA) marked its last ride for the year this week, unsaddling to prepare for 2023 as they try to solve a problem not unique to them — volunteer shortage.
Scheduled to return in February, RDA has wrapped up for all riders but for its members, work starts now. The group needs to find suitable horses, plan events, replace equipment and source volunteers.
This year, not only were there fewer people helping out, rider numbers also dwindled and there’s a relationship between the two according to Maryborough RDA chief instructor Aileen Marshall.
“There have been not as many riders, we’ve only had 14 this year. Normally, the maximum we have is 20-22,” she said.
“It’s also so much harder for everyone to get volunteers. If we don’t have the volunteers here, we can’t put everyone on a horse.”
As the RDA team grows older, the lack of engagement from the community, especially younger residents, is a growing concern.
“We’ve got an older group of people now and in this job, we need people to sometimes run and climb up things and also be safe,” Ms Marshall said.
“That’s the hardest thing to do, accessing younger people who have time to be committed, because it is a real commitment.
“We might only ride once a week but some of our riders go away for competitions which means we need lots more volunteers.
“And some of our riders, if they get someone their own age, and own abilities, they can make friends. Because it’s not just about horse riding, it’s also about socialising.”
Multiple groups in Maryborough have found themselves in the same position, trying to get more people to participate — and COVID hasn’t helped.
“Prior to COVID, there was still a lack of volunteers. But the pandemic has really exacerbated the situation,” Maryborough Volunteer Resource Centre (MVRC) secretary Debbie Macer said.
“I reckon that people have become COVID-comfy. They’re comfortable now in their homes, watching television, doing their gardening, having a small group of friends.
“And there’s not so much of that — wanting to get out and meeting new people, or getting involved in the community.”
Ms Macer said when residents stop taking part in the community or groups, in some capacity, the impacts can sometimes be dire.
“If there aren’t enough people helping out, the services will stop,” she said.
“For example, Red Cross has a driving initiative where they drive people to Melbourne or Ballarat, to the hospitals there. If they don’t have enough drivers, people aren’t going to be able to access that very necessary medical attention they need.
“Sometimes you have to have volunteers in order for things to go ahead.”
MVRC is currently working on ways to improve volunteer numbers in organisations — with an in-person model likely to lead to some success.
“We’re constantly changing strategies, we are working out what works. We think face to face communication works better than having an online portal,” Ms Macer said.
“If you talk to people in person, you can ask them questions and see what they’re interested in or what their schedules are like. You can then place them with groups that work best for them.”
Volunteering can also have benefits beyond helping the community — it is also really effective for keeping your mental health in check.
“Social isolation is a huge thing, it’s going to become a mental health problem as well. And doctors are now giving out ‘social prescriptions’, which directs people to join organisations,” Ms Macer said.
“If they get back into the community and start talking to people, it makes a huge difference to their health.”
To volunteer with a group or organisation of your choice, contact the Maryborough Volunteer Resource Centre on 0497 667 480.