Essential volunteer-based services across the Redlands need help to cope with the impacts of rising cost-of-living pressures.
According to a recent Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) report, Brisbane leads the nation with the highest increases in rent, energy, insurance, and health prices, and may become stuck in a loop of high inflation and low consumption.
As a result, frontline organisations that provide needy residents with food and emergency relief were facing greater demand, while simultaneously there was a “worrying decline” in volunteers because volunteering had become unaffordable, according to Volunteering Queensland.
QCOSS CEO Aimee McVeigh said the government must develop a community services industry strategy that addresses the financial sustainability of the sector and supports volunteers.
“It’s only fair that we have a properly resourced social service sector so all Queenslanders are assured that they will be supported through life’s challenges,” Ms McVeigh said.
Ann Leahy, Shadow Minister for Volunteers, said the impact of the Queensland cost-of-living crisis was far-reaching and devastating for charities and community organisations.
“Volunteering is the lifeblood of our communities, but when Queenslanders are forced to take on second jobs simply to make ends meet, community organisations are left to pay a high price,” Ms Leahy said.
The Donald Simpson Community Centre, based out of Cleveland has welcomed volunteers keen to assist those struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, especially the elderly population.
DSCC Office Manager, Vanessa Wintour said that the older locals are feeling the heat of the cost-of-living crisis, facing heightened costs for essential purchases like groceries, transport and household expenses and their pensions are not matching the change.
“Cleveland is getting a whole lot busier, [there are] buildings getting built, there’s one right next to our centre that was just under construction and there are more units getting built,” Ms Wintour said.
“Our centre is always welcome to volunteers, we rely on our volunteers… They convene in different groups and can be involved in the kitchen, in the office here and we have volunteers for activities.
Ms Wintour said that the DSCC aims to provide the local elderly public with affordable options through subsidized funding, including meals and activities during the week and provided education to the centre’s 2000 members.
“We have a library set up every week, and our volunteers want to do it… we don’t put our hand up and say that volunteers are required, we want people who are interested in volunteering.
“Some of them do it through Centrelink which is good, but many just want to come in because they have the time.”
Foodbank Queensland Chief Executive Officer, Jess Watkinson said the number one reason households struggle to meet their food needs is the cost-of-living crisis.
“We have all felt the impact of increased mortgage repayments and rent, and rising food, fuel and home energy costs,” she said.
“More than one in three Queensland households who need help aren’t seeking help because they are either too embarrassed to reach out, or believe others must be in greater need of assistance.
“The increases in the cost-of-living can lead to food insecurity as it forces people to make compromises on what and when they are eating.”
It was reported that 23 per cent of Queensland households continue to experience hunger each year, in the Foodbank Hunger Report 2023, and that more than half (55 per cent) of households experiencing the food insecurity have someone in paid work.
Interested persons can visit the Donald Simpson Community Centre for more information on volunteering and contacts during the cost-of-living crisis.
