Bertha’s meaningful impact
16 May 2025
Ripple effect: How Bertha is having a meaningful impact on lives and her career by volunteering at AnglicareSA.
Our volunteers come from all walks of life, yet each shares a genuine drive to support those in need. Bertha is one such volunteer whose dedication touches lives, families and entire communities. While her role with our Emergency Assistance team provides valuable experience for her university studies, Bertha’s motivation runs deeper. For her, volunteering is about being part of something bigger and having a meaningful impact on the city she now calls home.
A helping hand when it’s needed most
When a person is in crisis or experiencing hardship, the simple things can sometimes make the biggest difference, a new shirt, groceries to make meals for the next day, a warm smile and listening ear.
At AnglicareSA, volunteer Bertha makes sure no one walks away empty handed when they access our Emergency Assistance service.
“Our volunteers have a passion to serve and assist others,” Bertha said. “When people don’t have enough money after paying their bills, they come to us for extra help. We provide assistance to all sorts of people – families, immigrants, refugees, students. We help as much as we can. Our team must work within a budget, but by all means, whenever someone walks into our office, we give them something.”
Originally from Zimbabwe, Bertha moved to South Australia in 2023 to further her education and build her career. Leaving her home country was a big step outside her comfort zone, but she said the welcoming and culturally diverse community in Adelaide quickly made her feel at home. Today, Bertha said she valued the opportunity to give back to the community that embraced her.
“I grew up in a community where everyone assisted each other. Helping is part of my DNA. I love learning more about this community and helping people, and I very much enjoy working with my team. They have really helped me. I feel so welcome and safe amongst them. I really value that.”
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Shaping a compassionate career
Bertha has been volunteering with our Emergency Assistance team twice a week since mid-2024 and said her role perfectly complemented her studies for her Bachelor of Community Services.
“I see volunteering with AnglicareSA as a great privilege to gain practical experience for my studies.” she said. “It is equipping me with the skills and confidence to work as a Community Worker or Community Development Officer in the future. I’m also giving something to the community and helping AnglicareSA achieve their values of compassion, stewardship, and servant leadership, which are important values to me.”
Bertha’s welcoming smile is often the first thing people see when they arrive at the Emergency Assistance reception area. Her role involves taking down their details and collaborating with the team to ensure customers receive the support they need, such as food, blankets, and clothing. Bertha also fulfils important administrative tasks while maintaining the confidentiality of each customer.
Helping people in need is not always easy. Bertha said it required compassion, resilience, and empathy. Yet, the sense of fulfilment runs deep, especially during significant times of the year.
“At Christmas time, when you give a child a toy and you see their smile and the joy on their face, it is amazing. You are making their Christmas different to what it might have been. Christmas is about love, it’s about giving, it’s about fellowship. That’s one of the things that pushes me to keep assisting because you know you are adding value to their lives.”
Making friends while making a difference
When Bertha isn’t volunteering or studying, you will usually find her swimming laps at her local pool – or doing laps of the shops.
“I love, love, love shopping,” Bertha laughed. “When I have free time, I also love reading and spending time with my husband. Volunteering at AnglicareSA two days a week gives me a nice balance.”
For now, Bertha said she was content right where she was helping so many lives, in so many ways at AnglicareSA. She hoped to continue to work with the organisation after completing her studies and would love to welcome more volunteers to her team.
Are you interested in volunteering with AnglicareSA? Bertha offered the following advice:
“Our volunteers are all ages and from all different nationalities. We have a lot of laughs and fun. If you would like to make new friends and have a passion to help others, you will be very welcome here. I’m really happy to be part of the Anglicare community and I’m grateful for this opportunity. It makes life easier when you do what you love.”