Essential volunteer-based services across Ipswich 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,
QCOSS CEO Aimee McVeigh
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.
Donna Baines Faye, centre coordinator at Gailes Community House, said she had seen increasing numbers of first-time enquiries from people now unable to cover all of their bills.
“Many people are struggling,” Ms Baines Faye said.
“We have a great team of dedicated volunteers supporting our food relief program, but we do not have the resources to adequately equip them, such as a vehicle to collect donations and enough storage.
She noted that supermarkets now have less to donate, especially meat and fresh fruit and vegetables.
“Apparently the near to best-before and use-by date items — that they first reduce the price of before handing on to charities — are selling more now as people try to reduce their shopping bills.”
Nohblee Gottani, community support coordinator at Westside Community Care, based in Camira, said the nature of the enquiries was changing.
“The type of clients we are seeing are different,” Ms Gottani said.
“People are coming in who have extreme levels of shame associated when asking for help… The increased cost of living — especially power, fuel and food — is crippling them.”
She said more food donations and volunteers were needed.
“The main supply we have ‘enough’ of is bread. And even this can be up and down.
“We encourage all people to come and volunteer. Not just those who ‘have time’.”
Donna Hanlon, general manager of the Rosewood Community Centre, said their region was in a better position thanks to ample local volunteers and a recent increase in state government funding, but that they could not help in outlying areas.
“We probably don’t have enough funding [for] the outskirts of Ipswich… Willowbank, and Yamanto… so we encourage them to go to the bigger service providers in Ipswich.
“Salvation Army [has] been filling a lot of gaps… My hat goes off to them. They certainly are trying to do the best they can.”
