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Since the beginning of the year, Simmi has spent one day a week at ACH Group’s Perry Park care home.

Volunteering is just what I do

Every Summer holidays growing up in Mumbai, India, Simmi Samantara would volunteer at her mother’s friend’s charity for children.  

She would play with the children, prepare food, run arts and crafts workshops and help in the classroom.  

“I never saw it as volunteering, I was doing something that I genuinely enjoyed” she said.  

Now an international student studying for a Masters of Finance at the University of Adelaide, Simmi was looking to re-engage with volunteering in Australia.

“My experience with ACH Group has been so easy. I had someone to connect with from day one, and I was able to find an opportunity quickly,” she said.  

Since the beginning of the year, Simmi has spent one day a week at ACH Group’s Perry Park Residential Care Home at Port Noarlunga, supporting residents to connect socially.  

“After my first visit, I reflected on my time growing up volunteering and I realised how good it felt to contribute in a role that connects with people” she said.  

“Volunteering is a time for me to focus on connecting and contributing to my community.  

“Getting to know the residents is what makes volunteering at Perry Park so enjoyable and special. I especially love sharing a laugh”. 

Interested in becoming a volunteer at ACH Group?

With a variety of roles available across metropolitan Adelaide, you’ll have the chance to support older people through meaningful activities, make lifelong connections, learn new skills, and gain valuable experience – all with flexible opportunities that fit your lifestyle.

Hear from ACH Group volunteers as they share their stories of connection, and joy. Their experiences highlight the many ways volunteering makes a difference.

Learn more about volunteering at ACH Group.

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Celebrating the Joining Generations Intergenerational Program 🌟

The culmination of the Joining Generations Intergenerational Program deserves a special moment of recognition - and our hearts are full! 💚

This celebration event brought together students, volunteers, families, and community partners to reflect on shared achievements and the incredible stories that highlight the power of connection across generations.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this program possible:

🙌 Charles Campbell College – Kevin O’Neil, Principal; Katie Rogers, Pastoral Care Worker

🙌 UniSA Social Work Program – Patricia Muncey, Field Education Team; Catherine Janine Rosales, Social Work Student; Mia (Meng) Zhao, Social Work Student

🙌 Campbelltown City Council – Bianca Connelly, Development Officer, Ageing Well

🙌 ACH Group – Lili Ganaye, Village Manager; Nat Johncock, Retirement Living - Operations Manager

🙌 Community Housing Inc – Tyson Brown, Manager, Community Development; Aaliyah Sirengo, Social Work Student at Flinders University

🎓 To the amazing Charles Campbell College students – Jonathan, Ruby, Ebony, Beau, Nicole, Emma, Maddy, Bonnie, Marcus, Joshua, and Elizabeth – and your families, thank you for your energy, creativity, and open hearts.

🤝 And to the Campbelltown City Council residents and volunteers – Robyn, John, Rosemary, Louis, Wendy, Josephine, Susan, Patricia, Suzanne, and Helen – your stories and wisdom made every connection richer.

🙌 Finally, a very special acknowledgment to Brian Harris, whose vision started it all. A Charles Campbell College volunteer and passionate advocate against bullying and ageism, Brian brought everyone together and turned an idea into a truly meaningful community partnership - one that will continue to grow and expand across other schools and councils.

Stay tuned to learn about the findings from the first round of the program! For now, please enjoy the photos from the celebration and join us in saying thank you to everyone involved in building bridges across generations.
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