One night can make a difference: International Volunteer Day

One night each week Carey Trundle can be found in the classroom at STEPS Education and Training Casuarina.

For the last 18 months, Carey has been volunteering at STEPS where she offers tutoring support to new Australians who are building English skills in the STEPS Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP).

STEPS Education and Training College delivers the AMEP 510 hours program, delivering 510 hours of free English lessons to new Australians to assist with living, working and studying in Australia.

Shining a light on the work volunteers do in our communities, International Volunteer Day is held each year on 5 December and is an opportunity celebrate their contribution, share their efforts and promote the vital service that volunteers provide.

This year, as part of International Volunteer Day 2020, Carey shares her volunteering story and shows how her contribution makes a difference to students at STEPS AMEP.

Carey’s passion for tutoring English was ignited last year when she travelled to Vietnam and completed a course on teaching English.

She said this experience encouraged her to seek out volunteer opportunities in the field and that’s when she found STEPS AMEP.

“I am always keen to give back through volunteering and my attraction to this role was to expand my experience, use my skills to hopefully help others, and to learn more myself,” she said.

An avid reader and passionate about social justice and animals, Carey said she has enjoyed the time she has spent with STEPS staff and students and has made a lot of great memories.

“I love seeing the passion the students have to learn English and improve their skills.

“Our conversations about learning and about their lives, cultures and families are the highlight – along with the laughs we share,” she said.

Carey said she has learnt so much in her role and hopes that she has contributed just as much as she has received in the experience.

STEPS Casuarina Manager Michael Crawley said it’s volunteers like Carey that add to the wonderful learning atmosphere and help students build confidence and skills in English.

“We have dedicated, friendly and passionate volunteers and it makes all the difference in our AMEP classrooms.

“Our students are able to find extra support from our volunteers and have the opportunity to spend more time practicing their speaking, reading, and writing skills in a one-on-one setting,” he said.

“Language connects us – the time and effort our volunteers put in to tutoring really does make a difference in the lives of our students.

“That’s why it is so important to celebrate and recognise the volunteers that turn up day after day, that show a passion and compassion – especially on International Volunteer Day,” he said.

If you would like to start your learning journey and further build your English language skills, STEPS AMEP can help. We have classes in Casuarina, Palmerston and Alice Springs. Call 1300 585 868 to find out more about classes in Casuarina and Palmerston and 08 8950 7600 for classes in Alice Springs.

The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) is funded by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs