One in five Toowoomba residents volunteer time, efforts - Toowoomba Chronicle

ABOUT one fifth of Toowoomba residents volunteer their time for the community.

Statistics show 21.3% of the population - or 25,320 people - volunteer their time in a form of unpaid work.

As part of International Volunteer Day today, residents are being encouraged to recognise the contributions volunteers make to Toowoomba, Queensland and the rest of Australia.

It could be the parent who helps out at the canteen at a weekend sports game, or a person who picks up rubbish.

Based on current opportunities listed online, volunteers are needed most in community services, disability services and education in the Toowoomba area.

Figures from Volunteering Queensland show the most popular choice of volunteer work is sport and recreation, followed by religious and community welfare.

Even with time pressures in modern times, Volunteering Queensland chief Perry Hembury said there was no evidence to show the number of volunteers was declining, but certain trends were changing.

Mr Hembury said "time-poor" and young people were often attracted to volunteer work that involved new technology and innovative projects.

"Many people are attracted to emerging forms of volunteering that involve episodic engagement or by shorter project driven work or events or by opportunities to volunteer "virtually" and so on, weekend or after-work opportunities," he said.

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Statistics show the fairer sex volunteer slightly more, with 36% women compared to 34% of men.

People aged in the 45-54-year-old group had the highest rate of volunteering.

Mr Hembury said volunteers came from different ages, backgrounds and professions.

"The value of volunteering cannot be overstated - participation through people's time, skills and passion adds to a proud culture of giving in our society, contributing more to the economy than some industries."

VOLUNTEERING

• 21.3% of Toowoomba residents volunteer


• Volunteering is more common outside capital cities


• Employed people have a higher volunteering rate than those who are unemployed or not in the workforce


• In Queensland more than 50% of voluntary work is less than 10 days a year


• Two out of three people who volunteer go through an organisation


• To find volunteering opportunities in your area, go to http://ift.tt/1FVyFD4