Volunteer

Thanks for your interest in volunteering with us!

At Purple House, volunteering is more than just lending a hand; it’s a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Indigenous health, culture and community while making a real difference.

If you are interested in volunteering with Purple House email us at volunteer@purplehouse.org.au

A Legacy of Volunteering

Volunteering has been at the heart of Purple House since its inception. In 2000, Western Desert ‘volunteers’ raised over a million dollars through auctioning artworks to kickstart our organisation. Today, volunteers contribute thousands of hours annually, supporting almost every aspect of our work.

“It’s good [volunteers] can help us. They can learn more. We need more help. We need strong people coming to help.”
Selina Bob – Staff member & transplant patient

Volunteer Roles

Our volunteer roles offer diverse opportunities to suit your interests and skills.

These can include assistance with day-to-day activities at our Alice Springs, Darwin or Perth bases, and the possibility of supporting our remote aged care in Mt Liebig or Yuendumu.

From hairdressing, cooking, gardening, maintenance, photography, social media, and social support, we can tailor short-term or long-term roles to fit your schedule and your skills.

Our work depends on the kindness and generosity of people like you. Please fill out our expression of interest form, and we’ll be in touch soon.

Please note we prefer volunteers to stay for at least a week.

 

Volunteer

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Awards and Recognition

We’re honoured to have received several awards for our commitment to volunteering and community:

Volunteering NT Community Volunteer Organisation of the Year 2019 & 2022

Alice Springs Town Council Excellence in Volunteer Management Award 2019

Volunteering NT Chief Minister’s Youth Volunteer of the Year Award 2021

Volunteer Testimonials

Hear from our amazing volunteers about their experiences:

Maria's Story

“Dadu taught me how to cook kangaroo tails and damper, I was her first assistant. We sang together and she called me her sister.” Maria said.

Read More

A Purple Placement: Meet Liz

I really wanted to do my placement at Purple House because it’s community led, values driven, and patient focused. After being here, I can honestly say all of those things are true – and they do it so well.

Read More

"I have been a volunteer with a number of different organisations in the past and without a doubt, Purple House has been the most enjoyable, valuable, and rewarding experience I have had so far. Even on my first day of volunteering, I felt like a part of the Purple House family, already talking to patients and learning about the history of the organisation."

“They reminded me that practicing medicine is not about ticking boxes and getting jobs done. Rather it is about getting to know the patients and their families, to care about their wellbeing and to take the time to listen to their life stories.”

– Lucy Sherman (Purple House Volunteer)

"I learnt that here, the work you do has an immediate effect on those around you."

Minha Kook (Purple House Volunteer)

More than you brought: A secondment story from Purple House

Tom did a 6 week Jawun Placement with the Purple House, he says “The dust and heart of Central Australia get into you. I’m leaving with stories. My own and those people trusted me enough to share. I’m leaving with a different understanding of what happens when healthcare is built from culture outward, not the other way around.”

Read Tom's Story

Purple House provided me with invaluable cultural education which has definitely made me more culturally sensitive and safe.”

Lucy Sherman (Purple House Volunteer)

"Volunteering at Purple House has changed me a lot, a lot, a lot, let me say. The experience with the staff, how every person is so passionate, so devoted to the clients, working endlessly to help them in a very humble way."

Rosalie (Purple House volunteer)

These deep connections allowed me to learn by listening around the bush picnic campfire, by tasting bush tucker, by smelling the Irmangka Irmangka the community elders gathered and ground for bush medicine and by being taught how to make the perfect cup of tea by patients at Home Base. I return home to Gadigal land with the mantra of staying close to family and Country, having experienced what will be one of the core privileges of my life.

Alex — Jawun Secondee

Join Us Today

Becoming a volunteer with Purple House is your chance to give back, learn and grow.
Complete our expression of interest form today, and let’s make a difference together!