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Why Amir volunteers: ‘Everyone is welcome’

Since volunteering with Australian Red Cross Shops, Amir has made new friends, gained skills and become part of a caring community.

It’s Tuesday afternoon in an inner Sydney Australian Red Cross Shop and volunteer Amir is chatting cheerfully with his colleagues Filipe, Angelique and Chaloemporn. They are all different ages, and they come from different parts of the world. But inside the Australian Red Cross Shop, with their store lanyard and aprons, they are all part of the same team.

From left to right: Australian Red Cross Shops volunteers Filipe, Angelique, Amir and Chaloemporn at work in the Randwick, Sydney store. Photo: supplied
“Australian Red Cross is a very diverse environment. I have colleagues from different ethnicities, different nationalities, different ages – everyone is welcome,” says Amir, who began volunteering in the store in April 2026. “It’s a very safe place.”

Amir, who is from Iran, moved to Australia in 2022. With a background in engineering, earlier this year he completed a TAFE course in project management. While looking for jobs in the sector, he signed up to volunteer with Australian Red Cross.

Australian Red Cross Shops volunteer Amir at work in the Randwick, Sydney store. Photo: supplied

“I've been thinking of doing something to help the community, and I thought it would be a good idea to start as a Red Cross volunteer because I can meet new people, talk to people and make friends. Because I’m very new to Australia,” he says.

Amir enjoys interacting with the customers, who he describes as ‘very gracious’. On any given day, he might be steaming, tagging and pricing garments for sale, operating the register and sorting donation deliveries. But his favourite task is steaming. “It’s therapeutic for me,” he says with a smile. “Today I was steaming for three hours and I love it.”

Recently, it has been challenging for Amir to keep in touch with his family, who are still living in Iran. “There was a digital blackout not long ago. I couldn’t be in touch with my family for three months,” he says.

Amir enjoys meeting new people and connecting with customers while volunteering in the Australian Red Cross shop. Photo: supplied

Volunteering in the Australian Red Cross Shop has been a comforting way to connect with others ‘while things are stressful’, he adds. “It’s just me by myself [in Australia]. What I really like about volunteering with Australian Red Cross is working with different people from different backgrounds. There’s openness. Anyone can fit in.”

Being relatively new to the team, Amir is enjoying learning the ropes and helping his colleagues, pointing out the store environment ‘is very chill and relaxing’. He also appreciates being part of something bigger, with funds raised through Australian Red Cross Shops helping people facing disaster, crisis and vulnerability.

Want to gain skills while meeting new people in your community?

Become an Australian Red Cross Shops volunteer today

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Australian Red Cross is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, the national regulator of charities. Learn more at acnc.gov.auAustralian Red Cross was named Australia’s Most Trusted Charity 2025, highlighting the ongoing impact of its mission and the deep trust Australians place in the organisation.

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