Hugh du Toit has a heart as big as his smile.
He recently started volunteering with Uniting AgeWell at Chadstone’s St Marks Centre where he’s happy to roll up his sleeves and do gardening as well as people attending the Social Connections program.
The 45-year-old data analyst doesn’t work on Fridays, so instead of lounging around at home sitting on the couch and watching television, he’s determined to give back to the country that has given him so much.
“My parents are still living in South Africa,” says Hugh who moved to Australia 16 years ago. “I guess that volunteering with older people reminds me of them.”
It’s National Volunteer Week from 19-25 May and time to shine a light on the work that volunteers do to enrich the lives of older people. The theme this year is ‘Connecting Communities,’ something that the good-natured Hugh does with aplomb.
The father-of-two lives in Bentleigh and says it’s good to be able to contribute to the wellbeing of older people, who he feels are often overlooked in society. Hugh visits an 85-year-old customer who he says is “as sharp as a tack.”
“Last time I saw her she wanted to go for a walk and she kept up such a cracking pace I was quite exhausted when I got back,” he laughs.
He’s also keeping fit working in the large grounds of the centre, as well as sweeping up all the autumn leaves and branches from the pavement.
“That’s the thing about volunteering, there’s always something to do!” Hugh says.
Learn more about volunteering at Uniting AgeWell