Optus uncovers the transformative power of volunteering

In a world driven by personal pursuits and individual achievements, the act of volunteering is a testament to the collective spirit of humanity. This National Volunteer Week (20-26 May 2024) we reflect on the importance and benefits of volunteering from fostering personal growth to building stronger communities.

We spoke to Helen Maisano, Senior Director, Group Sustainability at Optus to uncover how the Optus community has benefitted from participating in various volunteering activities over the past year.

“Volunteering is a great way to support our community and invest in areas of need. Volunteering is a two-way street, as much as you put in, you certainly gain.

“When you volunteer, you’re able to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and circumstances. And by stepping outside of your comfort zone and engaging with communities in need, you can develop a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by others.

“This firsthand experience builds empathy and compassion. Through acts of kindness and solidarity, volunteers cultivate a sense of empathy that transcends social barriers and fosters a more inclusive society,” says Ms Maisano.

Several Optus teams have had the privilege to help out numerous charities over the past year. Here’s some feedback that is greatly appreciated – especially as the volunteers gained so much themselves.

Save the Children is the world's leading independent organisation supporting children, young people and their families to thrive in the most marginalised and hardest to reach communities.

Save the Children Op Shops have been operating in Australia since 1949 and has 74 stores across Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland. In 2023 Save the Children Op Shops generated over AUD12 million in support of children in need in Australia and abroad.

Save the Children has been standing up for child’s rights for over 100 years. Profits from their retail stores go to support Save the Children Australia’s health, education, protection and emergency support programs for children in Australia and around the world.

Just this year, January through March, Optus volunteers (74 people across five teams in NSW) helped support the Save the Children op shop NSW team with setting up the new Vineyard warehouse and shop.

According to Poppy Cluett, Workplace Giving Relationship Manager, Save the Children Australia the NSW team was very happy to have the assistance.

“The NSW team have been blown away by the steady stream of enthusiastic corporate volunteers ready to roll their sleeves up and help,” she says. “They absolutely could not have achieved what they have without this support!

“An Optus volunteer took the initiative to find the NSW retail team a transportation option that resulted in a significant saving in their transportation of stock.

“And the SA team contributed pantry and personal hygiene essentials to support our retail volunteers hit by the cost-of-living crisis. Staff also reported a doubling of sales income on those Optus corporate volunteer days.

“We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support from corporate volunteers these past months, we couldn’t have done it without you hard work, energy and dedication,” says Ian Moore, NSW State Retail Manager at Save the Children Australia.

Another way Optus volunteers support the community is mentoring with the Australian Business and Community Network (ABCN). Optus is a Found Member of ABCN, a purpose-led, not for profit organisation that brings businesses and schools together to address educational disparity. 

It connects volunteers from its member companies with students from low socio-economic backgrounds to provide fun, workplace-based mentoring programs that develop students’ confidence, skills and aspirations vital for thriving in the workplace of the future.

Spark is ABCN’s award-winning, fully facilitated programs raise students’ aspirations, develop their key skills and help them build connections with a workplace and a corporate mentor.

Mentors also benefit through honing their coaching skills, stimulating their creativity and deepening their understanding of different generations and cultures. The common elements of our mentoring programs are communication, teamwork, personal growth and confidence.

According to Cathy Torjul State Manager - SA/NT at ABCN, “ABCN would like to sincerely thank the Optus volunteers for participating in its programs and for the significant impact they have made to the lives of the students with whom you worked. Your time, effort and commitment are greatly appreciated. 

“Your support means over 6,500 students from lower socio-economic schools in Australia will benefit from mentoring this year. 

“Thank you for your involvement with ABCN and for coordinating the Spark program. Your mentors that sign up for this program every year really are so wonderful. Whilst this was a tricky program, with special needs students, I truly appreciate your team’s commitment to making a difference in the students’ lives,” Ms Torjul says.

Optus is proud to have supported these two charities amongst many others. During the last financial year, the Optus community volunteered over 20,000 hours thanks to the organisation offering each employee up to five days volunteer leave per year.

If you're unable to volunteer your time perhaps you'd consider donating your unused data.

Many Australians are being left behind, simply because they don’t have regular access to the internet. But with partners like The Smith Family, Good360 and KARI Foundation, we’re working to change this. And you can help.

With an eligible mobile plan, you can donate some of your data. It will provide much needed internet access to young people, their families and other Australians who might be doing it tough, so they can learn, look for a job and connect to vital services.

Help power Australia’s potential. Donate today.

Find out how students like Iesha are benefitting from the program.

How to donate your data

The initiative enables Optus customers with an eligible mobile plan to donate some of their data.

Donate a portion of your monthly data allowance if you're an eligible Optus customer with one of the options below.

T&Cs apply, find out more on the Optus website.

On a plan

Customers can donate data via My Optus app, tap the banner and then use the slider at the bottom of the screen to donate any remaining data before the end of the month. If they want to donate again in the future, they can simply donate from their remaining data.

If you’re on an eligible Optus Prepaid plan, simply SMS the word 'donate' to 4567 to receive instructions on how to donate.

Available to eligible Postpaid & Prepaid mobile customers only. Donation not reversible.