'I feel fulfilled': South Australian teen's huge impact on rural community
By Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh |
Jackson Moffat first started volunteering when he was just 12 years old, and he says ?it's had a huge impact on his life.
"It's helped me become more understanding and sympathetic of other situations. I always help where I can," he tells 9Honey Parenting, sharing his story in order to encourage other kids to follow in his footsteps.
"Volunteering can help people improve themselves and feel fulfilled, to the point they make it a habit like I have."
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The Year 11 student and avid volunteer from Yorke Peninsula, South Australia has been donating his time to worthy causes throughout his entire high school journey.
And it started with the most simplest task.
"I first got into volunteer work with my school. We were planting trees along a local road," he recalled.
After that first taste of volunteering, the ?teen hasn't been able to stop.
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"I always volunteer around my community, helping where I can, but I've travelled as far as Adelaide for volunteer work, and even had the opportunity to represent volunteering on national television for National Student Volunteer Week."
Though he can't quite confirm just how many? hours he has contributed to well-deserved causes, it's been quite a few.
"I've spent countless hours here and there, doing both small acts as needed and dedicated volunteering," Jackson shares.
"I think volunteering is so important จC it helps bring smiles to people's faces, supports the local community, repairs the planet and much, much more."
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Though unfortunately, it seems dedicated teens like Jackson are becoming less common.
?Australia has lost 174 million volunteer hours over the past few years, with some of the impact stemming from COVID-19 lockdowns.
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The Volunteer Perspective survey from 2022 showed that while there was an increase in volunteering among young adults (15-24 years old) between 2006 and 2016, there was then a huge decline to 2021.
?One in five people surveyed admitted their reason for not volunteering was down to being 'not interested'.
Though Jackson wants to change this, as he believes ?if people give it a chance they will certainly be more interested.
"The best way to encourage others to volunteer is to show them how easy it is!" he says.
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"It doesn't have to be a huge event, or something that takes a lot of time. Helping a neighbour out or bettering the community can do just as much as planting a tree."
With only 19 per cent of those aged 15-24 volunteering their time, Jackson's work to recruit more students is much needed.
?And he has no plans to slow down on his own commitment.
"I am hoping to move to Queensland after school to attend university, and study either business management or IT."
"No doubt volunteering will help me relate to the people I work with and hopefully one day, supervise," he explains.
