Links


The volunteer service of the

AIDS Action Council of the ACT


"LINKS" is the Volunteer Service of the AIDS Action Council of the ACT.    We rely on the commitment and support of our volunteers who make it possible to offer our range of services.


Being a "Links" volunteer is personally rewarding, great fun and a chance to meet lots of interesting people.    Our volunteers are given specialised training, placement and support.


Volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds, and bring a multitude of skills to the AIDS Action Council.


How will I be contributing as a "Links" volunteer?


The AIDS Action Council is involved in a number of special activities throughout the year, and plays a primary role in events like:


the AIDS Memorial Quilt Project;

World AIDS Day;  and

the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial.


These important community activities help raise and maintain awareness of HIV/AIDS.    They are also important ways of raising the funds needed to support people with HIV/AIDS who are living in hardship.

There are many other varied opportunities for volunteer involvement in the work of all of the units of the AIDS Action Council.    For example:


Community Support Services Unit

A major task of the Council, is to provide a range of care and support services, for people living with HIV/AIDS.    Trained volunteers can provide practical and emotional support.    This might involve anything including:


one-on-one support

assisting in the home, (mowing lawns, cleaning and shopping etc...)

preparing meals

transport

assisting with the care of a person who is ill, etc...


Community Education and Health Promotion Unit

HIV prevention, and information and education targeted at people at risk of contracting HIV, and the general public, is an important part of the Council's work.    Volunteers can be involved in:


the development and delivery of new campaigns

helping on our stall at community events

assisting with our phoneline services, etc...


Organisational Services Unit

Volunteers can make a vital contribution to the administrative functions of the Organisation:


front desk and reception

newsletter and other mailouts

publication design and production

preparing safe sex packs

fundraising events, such as the Red Ribbon Campaign, etc...


There are also opportunities to contribute to policy development, through a number of working groups or the Board.


*     Becoming a "Links" volunteer


If you support the vision and the mission of the Council, and have a desire to work as a volunteer, you will be accepted and welcomed.    There are no rules about the amount of time you would be expected to devote to volunteering with the Council.


Volunteers with the Council are required to attend an orientation session, and then to undertake the three-day core training module, unless otherwise determined under Recognition of Prior Learning principles.


Other training modules offered are:


education and fundraising

client support and loss & grief (for those volunteers wishing to become involved in providing support and assistance for people living with HIV/AIDS)

needle exchange (for those volunteers interested in being involved in this program)

phone line training to enable volunteers to work on the information phone lines, which are staffed by volunteers four nights a week.


"Links" volunteers must become financial members of the AIDS Action Council of the ACT, to be covered by the Council's public liability and personal accident insurance policies.    A special reduced membership rate is offered to volunteers.

Membership also entitles you to receive our monthly newsletter;  to vote at Annual General Meetings and to elect Board members;  and to receive member discounts (for safer sex products, for example).    Most importantly, it is only through a significant membership-base, that we can continue to represent HIV/AIDS issues, on behalf of the community, to governments and other key stakeholders.

For more information on how to become a volunteer, or for more information on the services we provide, please contact the Volunteer & Events Coordinator (
see contact us page for details).





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