Vikki Robinson

Maidstone Community Centre Playgroup

Tell us about your volunteer role

I volunteer at Maidstone Community Centre for the Wednesday morning Playgroup, it runs from 9.30-11.30am. Playgroup is run by one staff member and sometimes attended by over 30 families. I arrive before participants to assist with setting up, and I hang out afterwards to assisting with packing down. In the middle, I get to hang out with lots of carers and children.

What difference does volunteering makes in your life?

Volunteering adds structure to my week and provides me with a sense of community. It also provides me the opportunity to interact with others who live locally. I love the unfiltered voices of the children.

How do you believe your volunteer work has made a positive impact on the Maribyrnong community?

It assists the facilitator to be more present; having a second person to help set up, and supervise activities frees the facilitator up to interact with parents more. Hopefully it’s an extra point of social connection and support for the families as well.

In line with this year’s NVW theme of "Connecting Communities”, how does your volunteering help foster a sense of connection, both for you and others?

I feel like part of my role is to assist parents to feel comfortable in the space. Particularly if they are new to the group and the area. I think connection is vital for healthy communities. None of us could survive on our own. I think for parents it’s important to connect with other parents, and members of the community. It’s my pushback to the neo-liberal, individualistic, capitalism system we live in.