Asylum Seekers Centre

Renee Pinshaw speaks about her experiences while volunteering with One Health Organisation (OHO) at the ASC for the past four years.

 

Why did you choose to volunteer with OHO?
When I moved house in December 2005 I closed my private practice and began looking for opportunities closer to my new location. It was a good opportunity to re-evaluate my work life. I was lucky to have good timing: the previous physiotherapist at ASC was leaving and they were looking for a replacement. My new home did not have the space for a treatment room, and I did not want to commit to renting rooms at the time. Before then, I had primarily been working with clients who could afford to pay my fees, but ASC offered me the opportunity to keep up my skills while working with clients who could ill afford the cost.

 

When I first volunteered for OHO, I planned to only continue until I had found local paid work, particularly as I already had other volunteer commitments. I did find paid work, but I also managed to still include ASC into my work week.

What were your first impressions of the role?
When joining the organisation I was warmly welcomed by staff and clients alike. The greatest challenge was knowing that there was more equipment that could help those I worked with if cost was not an issue. The language barrier also created some difficulties, though we were fortunate to be able to use an interpreter.

Some clients who I worked with had never experienced paramedical or complementary therapies. One in particular had been injured three years previously but never complained or asked for assistance. He had accepted the limited movement in his shoulder until the nurse noticed that he could not lift his arm and offered him a session with me. He and I were both surprised when at the end of the hour-long session he had full range of movement with no pain!

What impact do you think the project has had on the lives of your clients?
I am continually amazed at the rapid improvement ASC clients make compared with my private clients. They seem to value the sessions so much more than those who pay for them. The smiles and welcome greetings I receive whenever I see a past client at ASC continually remind me of the positive impact that the sessions have had on the clients’ wellbeing. I encourage them to learn to listen to their body and engage in meaningful physical activity. This offers the opportunity for self-empowerment, which is far greater than aiming for physical pain relief. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing traumatized people thriving again.

One example that I remember is when a lady came in one week after I had treated her sister saying that she wanted ‘whatever I had done to her sister’. She was amazed to see the change in her sister from pain and depression to the beginnings of joy coming back into her life. Whenever I see them now they are always beaming and thank me for what I gave them.

What impact has volunteering had on your life?
I have been a committed volunteer at ASC for several years now, and also have enough paid work to balance the time that I offer there. Whenever I get annoyed by life’s small issues, the stories that I have heard while volunteering give me perspective: I can see how unimportant the things annoying me really are when others have lost so much, while still retaining their dignity and zest for life.

What would you say to someone considering volunteering with OHO?
I encourage you to take the opportunity as you have so much to gain from the experience of working with people in need. They will truly value your skills.

OHO would like to thank Renee for her generous commitment and contribution over the past four years as a OHO volunteer. Renee plans to continue volunteering directly with ASC where no doubt she will continue to positively touch the lives of all those she works with.