Thank you for your interest in volunteering at ACON. Volunteers are integral to ACON and we function as an organisation because of all their generous time, good will and hard work. Volunteering is a great way to meet other likeminded people, get an insight into ACON and the work we do, and to contribute towards making our community better.
No matter who you are or what your skill level is, there are lots of ways to get involved. We also offer a range of roles that require specific qualifications and training to get involved in.
Volunteer intake and dates for our various projects occur regularly throughout the year. We'll keep you updated when training dates are approaching. Places are limited during intake and selection is based on selection criteria and skills.
We have a number of ongoing projects and regions that require volunteers. Below are descriptions and the registration form.
Please note: ACON programs are funded by the Ministry of Health. Recently, the Ministry put in place a Public Health Order mandating that staff who work in programs funded by NSW Health are now required, under a Public Health Order, to be COVID vaccinated. This Public Health Order also extends to volunteers, contractors and students working for ACON. Under the Order, all volunteers who plan to volunteering for ACON after 30 November 2021 must be fully vaccinated prior to attending their volunteer programs.
| Sydney Events | We hold several fundraising and community events throughout the year and we often need volunteers to help run them. These include Bingay (monthly), Sydney Candlelight Memorial (May), the Honour Awards (September) and the Red Ribbon Appeal (December). |
| Sydney Alcohol and Other Drugs (Rovers) | The ACON Rovers are a team of fun loving volunteers who provide support and information at major LGBTI parties and events for party goers. Each ACON Rover is trained, supervised and equipped to help party goers enjoy themselves and party safely. |
| ACCVS (Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme) | Trained volunteers provide companionship to help reduce social isolation felt by older members of LGBTI communities. These regular one on one visits to elderly people in their own homes may include having a chat over a cuppa, listening to some music, joining them in a hobby or game. |
| Sydney Safe-sex Packers (Mature Gay Men) | This is a social volunteer project for mature gay men aged 40 year old and over helping to pack safe-sex packs for our health promotion. Please only apply if you suit this project. |
| Aboriginal Project | This is a peer-education project for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people helping and working with other Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people and is based in Sydney. Please only apply if you suit this project. |
| Sydney Asian Men's Project | This is a peer-education project for Asian men helping and working with other Asian men and is based in Sydney. Please only apply if you suit this project. |
| Sydney Community Support Network (Home-based care) | Trained volunteers provide practical assistance to help people with HIV live as independently as possible in their own homes. Services include basic cleaning, grocery shopping and doing the laundry. |
| Pride In Diversity (PID) | Pride in Diversity is Australia’s first and only national not-for-profit employer support program for all aspects of LGBTI workplace inclusion. Specialists in HR, organisational change and workplace diversity, Pride in Diversity has established itself as an internationally recognised program and a partner to many LGBTI employer support organisations across the globe. |
| Sexperts | The Tradies made their debut at Fair Day 2012 and have been a force since then. Now called 'Sexperts', their uniform is a high viz singlet, footy shorts and work boots. The guys made quite an impact at the Mardi Gras events this year and continued the tradition of the original team by handing out safe packs and helping educate the community about the continuing importance of using condoms as part of a defense against HIV. |
| The LOVE Project |
The LOVE Project is ACON’s Ageing initiative aimed at empowering lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) seniors to lead healthy, active and more social lives. Volunteers help out with some administrative tasks and support community events and activities. (Volunteer spots for this project are currently full. Please check again soon to see if any positions have become available!) |
| Northern Rivers Volunteers | All volunteers including Lismore, Byron Bay to the Queensland border. |
| Hunter Region Volunteers | All volunteers including Newcastle, the Central Coast and the Blue Mountains. |
| Regional Outreach Volunteers | All volunteers including Wollongong, the South Coast to South Western NSW. |
| Sydney Women Project | ACON is here for LGBTIQ women's health! We need volunteers for health promotion activities, event management, administration, photo shoots and more! If you're a woman in the LGBTIQ community, we would love to have you on board. |
| Safety & Inclusion Projects, Historical Violence and Justice | Volunteers will be assisting Welcome Here Project and LGBTIQ Diversity Days Project, Bondi Memorial Project and Historical Violence Walking Tour. |