Australian Red Cross calls on community members to make 2026 ‘Your Year to Volunteer’

At a time when communities are feeling increasingly disconnected, Australian Red Cross is encouraging community members to give back and have a positive impact by making 2026 their year to volunteer.

Coinciding with National Volunteer Week (18^th - 24^th May) Australian Red Cross CEO, Andrew Colvin said National Volunteer Week is also an opportunity to celebrate the work of the organisation’s 18,000+ members & volunteers.

“Our members and volunteers are the heart of what we do at Australian Red Cross. Whether responding to emergencies, supporting older community members, or welcoming customers in our retail stores, our members and volunteers are there for people when they need it most.

Mr Colvin said that in the first three months of 2026, Australian Red Cross members and volunteers had supported 27,649 people and responded to 13 emergencies nationwide*.

“There has never been a more important time for community members to get involved. We urgently need Emergency Services volunteers to support communities before, during and after disasters, Retail volunteers to help sustain our shops and fund vital humanitarian work, and Aged Care volunteers to support our services which play a vital role in connect senior citizens to the communities they belong to.”

For Valerie Hussain, volunteering with Australian Red Cross for the past 22 years in Wollongong has been a powerful way to give back. As an emergency services volunteer, Valerie helps communities prepare for and respond to emergencies, delivers training in Psychological First Aid, and presents programs such as Pillowcase and RediPlan.

“What I love most is the absolute trust placed in me by disaster affected people and communities, and the comfort of never ever again telling someone I don't know what to do in an emergency situation,” Valerie says.
“I have found volunteering amazing. I have been given opportunities and skills I that I never would have, had I not joined Australian Red Cross as a volunteer.”

Australian Red Cross volunteer roles are flexible, inclusive and supported with training, allowing people to contribute in ways that suit their lifestyle, skills and availability. For more information, visit redcross.org.au/volunteer to find opportunities in your local community.

To support the work of our volunteers, visit redcross.org.au/donate to make a tax-deductible donation.

For media enquiries, including requests for volunteer interviews, please contact:  media@redcross.org.au or 1800 733 443

• For b-roll, see here.
• For imagery, see here.

*2026 Australian Red Cross volunteer delivery statistics

About Australian Red Cross

Australian Red Cross is a volunteer-based organisation that exists to reduce human suffering. With 111 years’ experience and a community of 18,000+ members and volunteers, we act locally and connect globally to deliver what’s needed, when it’s needed most. We belong to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (the Movement) and, together with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and 190 other National Societies in countries around the world, we are part of the world’s largest humanitarian network; 16 million volunteers that help those impacted by disaster, conflict, health and other social issues.