Volunteering and studying

If you have tried returning to work, but found it was too difficult or not the right time, you can consider other vocational options. Two options are volunteering and studying. You might consider these or as part of your returning to work preparation.

Volunteering

You can volunteer as part of your vocational program or as an alternative to paid work.

Benefits of volunteering

  • Volunteering can be used as a stepping-stone to starting work. You can practice the skills you may need to prepare for work.
  • It can help you develop a work routine.
  • It can help you develop ways to manage fatigue.
  • It is a good way to practice work skills and use strategies to help you complete work-related tasks.
  • It can help you identify adjustments that you might need in future work.
  • It can help you practice social skills with strangers and recognise any triggers that might make managing your behaviour difficult.
  • It can be very rewarding and enjoyable.
  • Volunteering lets you try activities you have never done before.
  • Volunteering can increase social contact with other people.

Do something you like

When you decide to volunteer, it is important you choose an area of work that you are interested in.

Consider what you would like to do. Do you like working:

  • in an office environment?
  • with people (adults or children)?
  • with animals?
  • outdoors?
  • in the retail and sales industry?
  • in a health service?
  • in hospitality?

Think about the skills you have from your past work experience and what you can offer.

Consider your time

Consider the time you have available to volunteer, including:

  • transport options to and from the volunteer organisation
  • the number of hours you can work each day
  • the days of the week you have available
  • any regular rehab appointments you may have.

Checks you might need

Before volunteering, you may need:

  • medical clearance and agreement from your doctor
  • NSW police check
  • Working with Children Check.

Finding opportunities

Talk with your rehab team or vocational provider about volunteering. They can help you to find out what volunteer options are available in your area. And they can assist with planning and organising the volunteer placement.

There may be a community-based volunteer placement agency in your local area that you can connect with.

Volunteering resources

  • NSW Government. Volunteering in NSW
    Resources and advice for people and organisations about volunteering, including a directory of volunteer roles.
  • Volunteering Australia
    Guidelines and information on volunteering.
  • GoVolunteer
    Find a volunteer role that suits your interests, motivation, availability and location.
  • Larger not-for-profit organisations also have volunteer opportunities.
  • Many local councils have details about volunteer opportunities in the local area.

Studying

You may have been completing an education course before your brain injury and want to finish the course, or you may be thinking about studying something new that will help you find work. Studying after your brain injury helps you learn new skills and gain qualifications to find employment.

With the right support and research, it is possible to complete an education course after a brain injury. Like returning to work, returning to studying requires planning.

You can complete your study at TAFE, a university or another training organisation. They offer disability support services to help people with brain injury complete their courses. Your vocational provider can help you contact these services.

Tips for studying

People with a brain injury who studied found the following tips helpful.

  • Contact the disability services support unit to let them know you have a brain injury. They can suggest and organise supports you may need to complete your course.
  • Talk with your teacher or tutor about your brain injury. They can help arrange the support you may need, for example, allowing extra time for assignments or exams or doing exams in a quiet room with no distractions.
  • Consider telling people studying with you about your brain injury so they can understand the support you need.
  • Have a balanced diet, good sleep and do regular exercise.

Managing fatigue

  • Study for short periods at a time to reduce mental effort. You could try studying for 30 minutes and then take a break.
  • Take a break from studying if you are fatigued. You will be less likely to remember what you have read if you don’t take a break.
  • Try different ways to study. You may find it easier to read printed material and to handwrite notes, rather than use a computer for long periods.
  • Feeling stressed can worsen fatigue. If you are feeling stressed, speak to your teacher, tutor or your doctor. They can offer ways to manage your stress and link you to counselling services.

Managing memory loss

  • Use memory aids such as a diary, notepads, post-it notes and a large noticeboard.
  • Use a tablet or smartphone with planning apps that store timetables, calendars and links to where you are studying.
  • A smartwatch or smartphone can also be helpful for reminders and alarms.
  • Ask your teacher or tutor whether you can record classes if you need time to process the information. Most university lectures are recorded.

Planning and organising

  • Use highlighters, bookmarks and sticky notes to help organise your study notes.
  • Structure the days and week with a daily planner, diary or electronic organiser.
  • Try different study times to find the best time of day for you.
  • Write down all the steps to complete an assignment or study task. Arrange the steps in the order they are to be achieved.
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