Where to Volunteer

Want to give back to your local community? A number of local organisations are actively seeking people who are keen to donate their time and skills to fulfil a range of different roles from gardening and shopping to tutoring and home visits.

Scroll down to browse through our directory of local organisations or skip to key categories using the short links. Please note that the organisations are categorised by the key service they offer and some may span across a number of categories.

To find out more, please visit their website or get in touch with their representative. Council also offers volunteering opportunities from bushcare through to event assistance.

Jump to: Arts and Culture - Community Services - Education and Training - Environment and Conservation

Arts and Culture

2RRR Radio
Email: office@2rrr.org.au

2RRR (Ryde Regional Radio) is a community radio station dedicated to giving a voice to those who through mainstream media have no voice. They seek to inform, entertain and unite communities across Sydney through their programming and community activities.

2RRR offer a range of volunteering opportunities from radio presenters through to admin helpers.
Ryde Eisteddfod

Ryde Eisteddfod is a great Community Initiative - a team of volunteers taking over the organisation of this major cultural event launched by Ryde Council at the time of NSW Bicentenary celebrations. It operates from July to September each year in halls in the Ryde region and competitors and audience travel from far and wide to take part. Each year more than 50 volunteers are drawn from all walks of life - working with the competitors, the audience and the adjudicators to ensure that the hard work of the competitors leading up to their performance is rewarded. And the volunteers are rewarded by amazing performances - across the specialized vocal, instrumental, dance, speech/drama disciplines and also in a special session embracing all these disciplines amongst the Seniors (50+).

New volunteers are able to offer their own expertise so that it is truly a shared and evolving experience. If you are interested have a look at the website - 

http://re.org.au, in particular the Volunteering Menu which includes a guide to the tasks involved - together with a Quiz to test your knowledge on the material - and possibly to become accredited as a Ryde Eisteddfod Volunteer. If you would prefer to contact the volunteers coordinator directly please email volunteer@rydeeisteddfod.org.

Community Services

3Bridges Community Inclusive Volunteering Program

Email: Pauline.Hedman@3bridges.org.au
Phone: 1300 327 434

This program matches a person who has experienced a brain injury with a trained buddy to volunteer together in meaningful roles. Volunteer Buddy: A buddy is carefully matched with a person living with a brain injury, to enable them to participate in a meaningful volunteer role. Together, they volunteer in a host organisation who can offer a role which meets the volunteers' requirements. The buddy supports the volunteer to engage in meaningful volunteer work. This program matches a person who has experienced a brain injury with a trained buddy to volunteer together in meaningful roles.
Achieve Australia
Achieve Australia supports people with a disability to live independently, develop work skills and to learn and participate in the community. They offer a range of volunteering opportunities to match the skills of their volunteers.
Catholic Healthcare

Catholic Healthcare provides aged care services to people living in the community or in residential homes.

Volunteers are invited to provide a wide range of social support to our clients. Roles include volunteering to assist elderly clients at day centres, visiting an elderly person in their home, IT tutors and answering phone calls.
Christian Community Aid

Christian Community Aid provides local services that address the needs of people in the community. Their vision is for every Australian community, families, children, young people and elderly to thrive. For over 50 years we have been working to provide personalised, timely and innovative support that addresses the existing and emerging needs of people. CCA aims to develop resources and capacity that will contribute to strong, inclusive and resilient communities.

They are seeking volunteers to fulfil a range of roles from drivers and shopping assistants through to calligraphy tutors.

Location: Eastwood
Country Women's Association

Email: peglerhm@bigpond.net.au

The Country Women’s Association is an organisation which aims to advance the rights and equity of women. In Eastwood they operate a team room and sell handmade items to contribute to the various programs run by the organisation. Volunteers are invited to assist.

Location: Eastwood
Easy Care Gardening Inc.

Easy Care Gardening unites volunteers with older people in our community to provide gardening assistance, helping them to remain living independently in their own homes. Volunteers form new friendships and help not only others in the community, but also their own wellbeing benefits as they get exercise and enjoy being outdoors. Easy Care Gardening provides the tools and training, and is open to everyone over the age of 16, or 14 if you sign up with a parent or guardian. They are also open to corporate volunteers, university placements, Duke of Edinburgh and International Baccalaureate students and people on Jobseeker payments.

Location: City of Ryde, Ku-ring-gai, Hornsby and Hunters Hill
Explore and Develop North Ryde Public School 

Email: nrps@exploreanddevelop.com.au | Phone: 9888 9200

Explore and Develop Nth Ryde Public School are a long day care service located on the grounds of North Ryde Public School and are currently looking for volunteers on Wednesday mornings for 1.5 hours to walk to and from the North Ryde Public library with their pre-schoolers and room leader each week. They also have an opportunity available for a volunteer to do reading or craft at their centre any day morning or afternoon. 

Volunteers must complete a volunteers working with children check.

Location: North Ryde
HammondCare

Email: volunteer@hammond.com.au | Phone: 1800 79 33 99

HammondCare are looking for enthusiastic and caring individuals in Ryde, Gladesville, Macquarie Park, and surrounding areas, who can sit and have a chat, reminisce and talk about topics of interest with an elderly person. Depending on Covid19 restrictions it may be a phone call or visit in their home.

If you have one hour each week (Monday to Friday) and you'd like to improve an older person's life by providing companionship, we would love to hear from you. You'll receive training, including first aid training, as well as the ongoing support from our Volunteer Coordinator.

Successful applicants will need to complete a criminal record check and meet our vaccination requirements for Covid19 and influenza.

Location: City of Ryde
Gig Buddies Sydney

Email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org | Phone: 9419 6951 | Mobile: 0411 252 228

Gig Buddies Sydney are looking for volunteers in your area. You will be paired up with somebody with a learning disability and/or autism who has similar interests to you and lives nearby. You will be able to attend events, explore new music together and share your interests.

You would need to commit to attending at least one catch up, or "gig", a month with your buddy. This gig could be as casual as meeting up for a chat and a coffee or as adventurous as going to a musical festival together. It is up to you and your new buddy to decide what gig you would like to enjoy together each month.

Locations: Ryde, Meadowbank, Eastwood and Macquarie Park

Macquarie Dragons Football Club

Email: president@macquariedragons.com.au | Phone: 0415 736 506  

Macquarie Dragons Football Club is 100% voluntary run, from the coaches/managers right through to the canteen, committee members and president's role. Our home grounds are at Waterloo, Fontenoy & Marsfield Park at Marsfield & Macquarie Park. With over 750 players we're looking for a local volunteer to support us in the canteen in 2023 season. Someone who can commit up to 2-3 hours last week of March, then up to 1 hr per week during the season (Apr to Aug) plus a full day every 2nd Saturday on bbq. 

Be part of a supportive and inclusive community who take pride in their sport. Be part of a team that will be operating to make grassroots football a safe and fun place to be.

The impact of this opportunity will support community sport as well as allow us to continue to grow and develop our club for years to come. 

Location: City of Ryde
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) 

Email: cvsadmin@ms.org.au | Phone: 9646 0640

MS Australia is the national voice for people with multiple sclerosis. They work in advocacy and communications, and collaborate with their stakeholders to benefit thousands of people affected by MS across the country. If you enjoy the company of people and have time to commit to at least one visit per fortnight, why not volunteer as a community visitor and visit people with MS in the Ryde and Hunters Hill areas. 

Location: City of Ryde
Parkinson's NSW

Email: terri.herlings@parkinsonsnsw.org.au | 1800 664 189

Parkinson's NSW is a not-for-profit organisation that strives to make life better for people living with Parkinson’s, their families and carers. They offer volunteer opportunities a couple of times during the year including Christmas present wrappers at Macquarie Park Shopping Centre.
Presbyterian Aged Care North Ryde Community Aid

Email: lyharris@pcnsw.org.au | Phone: 9888 3380

North Ryde Community Aid & Information Centre delivers Commonwealth Home Support Programs (CHSP) and Community Hub Services to the aged and socially and financially disadvantaged members of the Ryde community. All the programs and services provided by NRCA would not be able to take place without the commitment and hard work of our dedicated volunteers. NRCA welcomes new volunteers interested in driving, shopping, gardening or delivering a linen service.

Location: City of Ryde 
Riding For The Disabled Association (NSW)

Riding for the Disabled Association NSW is a volunteer-run organisation which enables children and adults with disabilities to enjoy and achieve physical, social, psychological and educational progress through participation in therapeutic horse riding programs and horse-related activities.

They rely on the generosity of individuals, grants, community groups, local businesses and fundraising by their fantastic volunteers to raise the funds required for day to day running expenses for the centre such as activities and programs for disabled riders and paying for horse-related expenses. They require volunteers to help with the horses, maintain their grounds and assist with administration and promotion of the centre.

Location: Macquarie Park
Sailability Dobroyd at Rodd Point, Five Dock

Email: glenys.john5@bigpond.com | Phone: 0423 221 025

Sailability is a volunteer-run organisation that encourages and facilitates participation in sailing and boat usage for people of all ages and abilities. They are looking for volunteers to assist people with a disability to board and disembark specially designed dinghies and to sail with them.

Location: Five Dock
Save the Children

Save the Children operates an Op Shop in West Ryde. Without the support of volunteers this and other programs run by the charity would not operate. For further information on the current volunteering opportunities, please visit their website.

Location: West Ryde
Side By Side Advocacy Inc

Email: info@sidebysideadvocacy.org.au | Phone: 98085500

Are you a passionate and dedicated person who would like to make a real difference in the life of a person with intellectual disability? As a Citizen Advocate, you will be matched with a person with intellectual disability in the Ryde or Hunter’s Hill area. Your role might include:

  • Helping a person pursue their interests
  • Speaking out for a person’s rights and wishes
  • Assisting a person achieve their goals
  • Addressing a person’s needs
  • Providing companionship and advice

Ideally, this relationship is long-term and provides an opportunity to build a meaningful connection with someone. The time-commitment will vary from person to person, as it is based on what the person with disability wants/needs. Please note that volunteers will need to be vaccinated and have a Working with Children Check.

Location: City of Ryde, Hunters Hill
Sir Roden & Lady Cutler Foundation

Email: vdelzio@sirroden.org.au | Phone: 1300 747 763

Sir Roden & Lady Cutler Foundation is seeking Drivers to pick people up and drive them to and from their medical appointments during the working week Monday to Friday. This is a FREE service and helps those in our community most at need to get to critical medical appointments and therefore help enhance their quality of life, autonomy, and overall independence.

The foundation provides the vehicles to volunteers to use during their volunteer shift.

Drivers are not carers as such and are only required to drive our clients from home to their medical appointments and back again.

Location: Various
Stryder

Email: info@stryder.org.au | Phone: 9816 5000

Stryder is a for-purpose organisation with more than 30 years of service as a Community Transport Provider and aims to inspire our community by connecting people in Ryde, Hunters Hill and beyond with their quality fleet of vehicles. Join their dedicated team of volunteers in delivering a range of connective services to those most in need. They are on the look out for drivers, social outing assistants and office assistants.

Location: City of Ryde, Hunters Hill
Sydney Community Services

Email: yhughes@sydneycs.org | Phone: 9427 6425

Sydney Community Services is a not-for-profit organisation that assists the elderly and persons with a disability to live a quality and independent life in their own home and in the community. With over 50 years of experience, Sydney community Services provides sustainable, responsive and quality support services to the residents of Lane Cove, Hunters Hill and Ryde.

They offer opportunities to volunteer in disability services, medical transport, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, shopping services, day trips, linen service, social activities, community visitors scheme and a seniors' hub.

Location: City of Ryde, Hunters Hill and Lane Cove
The Generous and the Grateful (GG)

Email: talent@generousandgrateful.com.au

The Generous and the Grateful (GG) turns empty houses into homes for some of our most vulnerable people who are at high risk of homelessness and returning to harm. GG works with caseworkers to connect their clients with great quality second-hand furniture and whitegoods donated by kind Australians, as well as items from hotels refurbishments and manufacturer returns. GG fast-tracks the delivery of household packages to people that need them, helping them to thrive, not just survive.

GG is looking for volunteers to help in their warehouse at Melrose Park. Their roles involve moving bulky household items, as well as roles focused on organisation, stocktake and planning. Some roles can be conducted remotely.

Location: Melrose Park
The New South Wales Justices Association Inc. (NSWJA)

Email: rydecity@nswja.org.au

NSWJA Ryde City branch runs Justices of the Peace (JP) desks at Macquarie Centre, Cox’s Road Mall Shopping Centre, and Rhodes Waterside. The branch is expanding the JP desks to West Ryde and Gladesville. The NSWJA are looking for registered NSW JP's who would be interested in joining the NSWJA and providing voluntary JP services to the community. The NSWJA also provides face-to-face and online JP training for its members. If you are interested and would like to attend a branch bi-monthly meeting, please contact the NSWJA at rydecity@nswja.org.au or 0412089219.

Location: City of Ryde

Education and Training

Eastwood Uniting Church

Contact: Marion Gledhill
Phone: 9874 2088 | Mobile: 0423 355 759 | Email: magledma@optusnet.com.au

Eastwood Uniting Church (EUC) conducts English classes as a form of support and assistance to people from non-English speaking backgrounds and have come to live in our community. The church welcomes people from the community to volunteer as teachers or coordinators, and share their aim.

Training opportunities are available to volunteers. Coordinators, who are church members, will be the point of contact for the Church Council, and will coordinate classes, teachers and general arrangements.

Location: Eastwood
Health and Wellbeing Collaboration (HAWC), Macquarie University

Ema:il physiotherapy@mq.edu.au | Phone: 9850 9077

The HAWC program is a clinical placement undertaken by students from Macquarie University. The program works with volunteers from the community to complement the students' classroom learning.

Volunteers are required to assist physiotherapy students with their training for the duration of a semester. As a volunteer you would be periodically visited by students who will practice their initial assessment and measurement skills.

Location: Home
Primary Ethics

Phone: 8068 7752 | Email: ryde-region@primaryethics.com.au

Primary Ethics is an independent not-for-profit organisation and the approved provider of ethics classes to NSW public schools. Ethics classes are currently offered in 500 primary schools in NSW and welcomes expressions of interest to establish new programs.

Primary Ethics has established itself as a highly effective education provider which offers unique, skilled volunteering opportunities. They need volunteer ethics teachers, who will receive free training, professional development and quality curriculum materials.

Location: City of Ryde
TAFE NSW

Email: AMEPhts@tafensw.edu.au | Phone: 9942 0224

Help adult migrants and refugees learn English by volunteering with TAFE NSW's Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) where tutors complete an online course at their own pace and receive ongoing support once they start tutoring. Tutoring is conducted in the student’s home or at a mutually convenient location such as a library. 

Location: City of Ryde

Environment and Conservation

Buddhist Compassionate Relief Tzu Chi Foundation

Tzu Chi is a faith-based organisation that has a range of environmental projects from tree planting to Boomerang Bags. For further information on current projects and volunteering opportunities, visit their website.

Location: City of Ryde
The Habitat

Email: info@iewf.org

The Habitat community nursery and food garden, is run by volunteers and specialises in local provenance native plants and creating habitat for small native birds. Students undertaking community services and others may apply to volunteer.

Location: Ryde
Citizen’s Climate Lobby

Email: info@ccl.org.au
Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) is a not-for-profit, non-partisan, grassroots advocacy and education organisation, focused on advancing climate change solutions through democracy.

The Citizen's Climate Lobby are volunteer-driven. They write to, meet and talk with politicians, citizens, community leaders, business leaders and media from across the political spectrum. In order to generate the political will necessary for effective action on climate change they train, support and provide the tools for our volunteers to engage with leaders, the media and the public.