Volunteering from the Heart

30 October 2025

Gerri’s Story

Gerri has been a SMRC volunteer for well over 6 years.

Volunteering as part of the English classes held for recently arrived migrants and refugees. Gerri has found her time volunteering to be not only rewarding but she thoroughly enjoys helping clients with their learning.

“Seeing their English improve but also getting to know them and learn about their culture and religious custom”, is something that gains Gerri connection and community while fulfilling her role as a volunteer.

This is why she finds that brining her humour to the sessions helps ease the difficulties and connect on an individual level.

“I am full of admiration for these migrants, having left their home country to start a new life in a strange one”.

Gerri recalls in one session, when asking a student how they are benefiting from the English classes, with one woman expressing, in Dari, that the experience feels “empowering” (see translation in Dari below).

Val’s Story

Val is into her third year of volunteering at the SMRC English class in Dandenong and still looks forward to it every week.

She describes the classes as a welcoming, supportive environment, full of people who are eager to learn and connect. She is constantly reminded how inspired she is by the women who attend, so diligently, often several times a week. This is all despite the demands of their busy lives and the challenges they face as migrants and refugees.

For many, English is not only a new language but often time, it is a completely unfamiliar script and structure. The concept of reading and writing for some, can also be a big unknown, as some have never had the chance to attend school. Yet Val see that the clients keep coming and persevering with grace and determination.

“Their cheerfulness is infectious” Which often comes about when they share stories about their families and ask about Val’s, a meaningful way to connect with each other, with always more room for laughter.

Make a difference by volunteering

Volunteers like Gerri and Val, are valuable to the SMRC community and help programs run efficiently and in meaningful ways. Why not consider becoming a SMRC volunteer in 2026 and experience the joy and inspiration you gain from taking part in migrants and refugees gaining the skill of English, friendship and connection.