Providing young people experiencing grief and loss the reassurance that they are not alone is a driving force behind AnglicareSA volunteer Hiba and her involvement in AnglicareSA’s Star Bear program.

Star Bear Grief and Loss camps are free weekend camps for bereaved children, young people, and families who have lost a parent, sibling, or other significant person.

Hiba said the camps were important for the young people attending, providing a safe space to talk about their experiences and help them learn healthier ways to cope with their grief.

“I have seen how quickly children can form genuine friendships during the camps, and many of them continue staying in contact afterwards,” she said.

“That ongoing connection can be really important, because it gives them support even after the camp ends.

“It is often in those small moments like playing together, sharing stories, or just being around others who ‘get it’, that they start to open up more and feel less isolated.

“From my experience as a volunteer, you can really see the shift in confidence in some children across the camp, from the pre-camp meetings to end of camp.”

Hiba has been part of Star Bear since 2024, initially joining as a mentor providing one-on-one sup[port to the children attending camp.

After attending a number of camps, Hiba was able to take on a mentor support role, helping guide new mentors as they settled into the program just as she had done.

“I’ve also done roving duties, which involved helping set up and prepare arts and crafts activities, cleaning up afterwards, assisting with food preparation, joining in games with the children, and generally supporting mentors wherever needed throughout the camp,”

“Each role has given me a different perspective and helped me understand how much teamwork goes into making the camps run smoothly and supporting the children effectively.”

 

 

Camps not possible without volunteers

Star Bear coordinator Louanne Johns said Hiba had proven to be a bright light when added to the team – a volunteer willing to get stuck in and adapt to any role, and is respected by all her fellow volunteers.

“She is amazing with the children and shows so much compassion and understanding,” Louanne said.

“Star Bear volunteers like Hiba are the backbone of the program – without them the program simply would not  be possible.

“It is an honour to work alongside such an incredibly dedicated bunch of volunteers many of whom have been with the program for more than 10 years and continue to enable us to run a successful camp.

“I am humbled by their commitment, compassion, and sheer hard work, and I am proud of the fact that everyone is inclusive, and all new volunteers are made to feel part of a very special team very quickly.”

 

 

The importance of volunteering

Having previously been in a position where she needed support in her own life, Hiba said volunteering was important to her knowing the difference it could make having other people be there to support you.

At Star Bear in particular, she said she had seen how powerful it was for children to feel understood and not alone in their grief.

“Being part of that space for them feels very meaningful to me, because it is not just about helping on the day, but about creating comfort and connection during a really difficult time in their lives,” she said.

“Volunteering also gives me a strong sense of fulfilment and purpose. After each volunteering experience, I always leave feeling grateful and grounded, knowing I have contributed to something that really matters.”

“Volunteering with AnglicareSA is not just about helping others, it has also been supportive for me personally with employees always welcoming, accommodating, and genuinely appreciative, even for the smallest things you do.

“Across different roles, whether it is aged care, emergency assistance, or Star Bear, you really see how much impact even small actions can have on someone’s day or situation.

“And at the same time, you are learning from the people you meet and the experiences you are exposed to.”

 

Get involved

From 18-24 May 2026, it is National Volunteer Week – a time to celebrate and recognise the amazing contributions volunteers make to our community. At AnglicareSA, we are proud to have more than 200 volunteers who give their time to support people in need.

AnglicareSA is looking for volunteers like Hiba to join the Star Bear program and make a meaningful difference in the lives of families experiencing grief and loss. We also offer volunteer opportunities across our aged care and community services programs, providing a range of rewarding ways to get involved.

You do not need any specific experience or qualifications to volunteer with us – just a willingness to get involved and support others. We provide a supportive onboarding process and learnings to help you feel confident to get started, and we will guide you every step of the way.

To register your interest in volunteering or to seek further information, please email volunteering@anglicaresa.com.au  or visit anglicaresa.com.au/get-involved/volunteering