No barriers to helping

Mary Edwards is known around the Red Cross office in Adelaide for her beaming smile. She volunteers there every Friday to help staff with administration work, a role she says makes her feel useful.

Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy as a young child and not able to walk, Mary has long aspired to do a fulfilling job, so when the opportunity to volunteer at Red Cross came up, she, in her signature way, was beaming.

"I love socialising and meeting people, and being useful, doing important tasks."

"I enjoy doing something different each week, I like the work."

Importantly for Mary, she says it makes her feel good. "I feel more part of the community."

Mary has lived in a special home since she was 19, where she can get full-time care for her disabilities. Now in her fifties, Mary is a very sociable person and enjoys getting out and about to experience the world. Volunteering at Red Cross is just one way she can do that.

"I get excited about coming to Red Cross every Friday. It gives me something to do, I find it stimulating and interesting."

Mary supports staff by doing administration tasks, ranging from sorting and stapling documents to packing information kits. In addition to her volunteer work, Mary joins in morning teas, volunteer parades and attends events.