Volunteering with low vision

Volunteering offers a powerful way to connect with and support others, and for people with low vision, it can be an especially meaningful experience. Living with low vision often brings a deep understanding of resilience, adaptation, and empathy – qualities that uniquely position individuals to connect with and inspire others.

Having lived experience with low vision often fosters an authentic compassion that can make a profound impact, whether mentoring someone facing similar challenges, raising awareness, or creating a more inclusive community. Volunteering can become not just an act of service but a shared journey of empowerment and understanding.

What type of volunteering work could be right for me?

There are countless different types of volunteering, and every organisation will have its own specific needs, but here are some ideas to help inspire you.

Counselling and helpline services

Phone support services such as Lifeline provide crucial support for people in moments of crisis. These services do not require any previous experience in counselling or psychology, and can often be provided from your home, meaning you don’t have to travel to make an invaluable difference. Organisations like Lifeline have specific volunteering information and can also be reached through advertised positions on volunteering sites. If you feel you need support gaining some additional digital literacy skills to use your devices with low vision, check out this article for some of our tips for making your devices accessible.

Mentoring and companionship services

Youth mentoring roles and companionship programs can be a great way to form lasting and rewarding relationships in your community. These can include many different services, such as educational support or leadership for children and teens, participating and leading community events and activities, and social visits with residents of care facilities. If you also speak a language other than English, your support may be especially sought after for some positions.

Craft and hobbies services

Creative hobbies, from crafting to playing an instrument, can be a great way to bring communities together. Read this article to learn how hobbies can be easily made accessible for those experiencing low vision. Volunteers to lead crafting sessions, instrument tutorials or performances, and even amateur sing-a-longs are sought after in a variety of sessions, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community outreach programs and centres.

Administrative services

Behind every organisation is the behind-the-scenes team which put the 'organised' in organisation. If you have a background in administration, HR, accounting, business planning, or management, there are numerous ways you can get involved with different charities and events using skills from your professional life. Many opportunities exist in this sector for those without professional experience as well, so check the individual requirements of positions to see if they might be a good fit for you.

Where can I find volunteering opportunities?

New volunteering opportunities are constantly opening, so if you have a specific organisation you’d like to get involved with, the best place to start is usually their website, which will often have a dedicated volunteering page. If you want to look more broadly at volunteering opportunities in your area, here are some dedicated websites advertising volunteering positions which allow you to filter based on your areas of interest and accessibility needs:

• SEEK Volunteering
• Go Volunteer
• Volunteering Australia

For more localised volunteering opportunities, check out:

• Make A Difference NSW
• Volunteering VIC
• Volunteering ACT
• Volunteering QLD
• Volunteering SA & NT
• Become A Volunteer WA
• Or visit your local council’s website