Volunteer Impact Report 2023
The work we do in the community would not be possible without the efforts, passion and contribution of PANDA volunteers and we thank each one for their significant contribution in 2023.
Volunteer Impact Report 2023: Something for Everyone
National Volunteer Week 2024 recognises the diverse passions and talents everyone brings to the act of volunteering.
There’s a place for everyone in the world of volunteering. Whether you’re drawn to community outreach, education, or beyond, there’s a place where we can all contribute.
PANDA is proud to launch our third Volunteer Impact Report, during National Volunteer Week 2024.
This Volunteer Impact Report covers the period from 1 January to 31 December 2023.
In October 2023, PANDA was proud to celebrate its 40th year of helping new and expecting parents during the perinatal period.
We are excited to share the story of PANDA’s co-founder, Ann Lanigan, of how PANDA came to be formed in Victoria back in 1983.
We will also share the profiles of other volunteers who made an impact to PANDA during 2023.
The work we do in the community would not be possible without the efforts, passion and contribution of PANDA volunteers and we thank each one for their significant contribution in 2023.
Snapshot
2023 Snapshot
- Community Champions– 229
- Clinical Champions –298
- Peer Support Volunteers – 20
- Governance – Board and related Committees - 8
555 volunteers
We note that the proportion of people volunteering nationally has increased over the last year but is still below pre-COVID levels, and the average number of hours people have volunteered has declined. This has occurred at a time when cost of living has increased significantly and demand for services provided by many volunteers and volunteer involving organisations has increased. Read more about volunteering trends here.
We have seen this impact volunteers in our Peer Support team, where we have seen a decrease in Peer Support Volunteers being able to commit to rostered shifts as well as in our administration volunteer roles.
The beginning of PANDA
Ann, PANDA co-founder
"PANDA began following my own experience of postnatal depression.
Immediately after the birth of our third child in 1982, I became euphoric. But within a few days I became very teary for no reason. I was unable to sleep or eat and to say I was restless was a massive understatement. I roamed the hospital, day and night.
In the 1980s, mothers remained in hospital for 5-7 days so eventually, a psychiatrist consulted with me in the hospital. His diagnosis was postnatal depression. He told me:
“You are like a caged lion, once you go home you will be fine”."
Janet, PANDA co-founder
"Feeling isolated with my illness, I desperately needed to speak with other mothers who had suffered or were suffering from post-natal depression. I contacted my Maternal and Child Health Nurse. I asked if she knew of any other mothers with this condition and could they ring me.
Ann rang and we met up that night in my home. Many things were discussed and over the next few days and weeks we decided that we wanted to reach out and help other women and start a support group – hence the beginnings of PANDA."
Community Champions
Community Champions
At the end of 2023, PANDA had 229 Community Champions.
Throughout 2023, Community Champions participated in 289 activities, an increase of 37 activities from the previous calendar year.
Community Champion activities - 289
Throughout 2023, PANDA Community Champions contributed in the following ways.
1
Awareness Raising
2
Fundraising
3
Media activities
4
Research & Development
Owen joined the Community Champions program in 2020 and continues to be an important and effective member of the program.
In 2023, Owen volunteered twice (on the same weekend) at the Adelaide Pregnancy, Babies & Children’s Expo and independently ordered PANDA resources to hand out at other local events, alongside his wife.
Owen shared his story on the PANDA website in 2023, to coincide with a new article, ‘Communicating with your partner in the perinatal period’. Everything Owen has contributed this year has been with the intention to benefit the community.
1
Tell us about yourself
2
Why did you choose to volunteer with PANDA?
3
What has been the best thing that’s happened at PANDA since you became a Community Champion?
4
What is your favourite activity to do with your family?
5
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
Leading with Lived Experience
Lived experience is at the centre of PANDA, and our operations. We ensure everything we do is informed by people who have personal experience of mental health challenges. The person, family, carers, and supporters are central to all we do.
The Community Champions program is imperative to PANDA leading with a lived experience. We share the stories of Community Champions to raise awareness and advocate for perinatal mental health.
In 2023, the lived experience stories on the PANDA website were visited by 22,376 people. This makes up 9% of our website traffic.
We share people’s real-life stories in many ways.
In 2023, these articles had quotes or linked stories from Community Champions
Quotes from Champions
“I love connecting with people from all walks of life with the same passion and energy for positive change in the perinatal mental health space ❤️ It never fails to inspire and grow me.””
“I love being able to connect with like-minded parents and share our trials and tribulations. I also love being able to inform the community about PANDA’s services; we’re not alone in this! ”
“As parents of a newborn we can sometimes feel like we’re not “achieving” much when at home with a baby. This program has really helped me regain that sense of achievement and self-worth. It’s a wonderful feeling to be giving back and helping others in similar situations. ❤️ ”
“I love connecting and being part of a community, we have all been through our own challenges with PND, but yet we all have very different experiences and stories to share. Inspiring and rewarding program to be apart of. 💚🧡 ”
Outstanding Champions
On International Volunteer Day 2023, PANDA shared the achievements of the 15 most outstanding Community Champions in 2023.
These Community Champions were thanked in an online event and sent a small gift with their Certificate of Appreciation.
Thank you to the following volunteers who made a big impact in 2023:
Carter, Gia, Renee, Donna, Emma, Natasha, Brittany, Michelle, Jo, Amanda, Bree, Fiona, Lauren, Owen, Rachel
Community Champions at PANDA’s 40th
On 12 October 2023, PANDA celebrated 40 years of helping families in Australia.
Community Champions from around Australia joined our partners and supporters to celebrate, network, and share stories.
We would like to thank Ann Lanigan, co-founder of PANDA for coming along to the event to also share her story with attendees on the day.
A special thank you to Rachel
Rachel who flew in from TAS to stand up in front of 200 attendees to share her story on the day.
A special thank you to Melissa
Melissa who flew from NSW to Melbourne to attend in person alongside her artwork commissioned for PANDA’s first RAP (to be launched in in 2024).
Perinatal Mental Health Week
Perinatal Mental Health Week
Perinatal Mental Health Week provides an opportunity to raise awareness about Perinatal Mental Health.
During the week, PANDA’s campaign reached around 9.2 million people, and Community Champions were profiled in 91% of stories.
23 Community Champions contributed to Perinatal Mental Health Week 2023. Many Champions contribute more than once throughout the week in these activities:
15 Champions contributed to social media content.
4 Champions shared their story for media appearances.
2 Champions hosted fundraising events.
3 Champions shared PANDA resources in their local community.
2 Champions shared their lived experience at local events.
PANDA’s podcast
In 2023, PANDA launched the second season of its podcast, Survive & Thrive.
PANDA thanks the below volunteers who generously gave their time to share their lived experience on our podcast. We also thank Gia, Marley, Megan, and Sarah for being a part of the podcast steering group to bring community and lived experience input into the planning and design of season 2.
Emma was a key part of the Community Champions program in 2023, using her voice to raise awareness about perinatal mental health.
Emma provided her lived experience insight in a focus group about the development of the PANDA Chatbot (which she was later recruited as a volunteer to assist in the project) and shared her story on the second season of PANDA’s podcast as well as in an online article.
Everything Emma does is with the intention to work with PANDA towards our shared goal of being a leader in perinatal mental health.
1
Tell us about yourself
2
Why did you choose to volunteer with PANDA?
3
What has been the best thing that’s happened at PANDA since you joined as a Community Champion?
4
What is your favourite activity to do with your family?
5
What would you sing at Karaoke night?
Clinical Champions
Clinical Champions
PANDA is fortunate to have 298 people who have signed up to be a PANDA Clinical Champion. Clinical Champions are a network of clinicians and experts working in the perinatal space, who in some cases, also have a lived experience of perinatal mental health challenges. We’re looking forward to redesigning this program in 2025 to increase the opportunities for people working in both peer and clinical practise.
PANDA works with Clinical Champions on:
- Position statements and recommendation papers on key issues relevant to perinatal mental health in Australia
- Service planning, design and innovation
- Public health (awareness raising) campaign
- Community and health professional education programs
- Parent and health professional resources
- Understanding of systemic barriers to perinatal mental health care, to inform our work and others
- Government approaches and policy consultation.
State
ACT – 5 Clinical Champions
NSW – 74 Clinical Champions
NT – N/A
QLD – 45Clinical Champions
SA – 16 Clinical Champions
TAS – 4 Clinical Champions
VIC – 124Clinical Champions
WA – 30 Clinical Champions
Peer Support Volunteers
Peer Support Volunteers
Peer Support Volunteers have each experienced challenges during their perinatal period. Peer Support Volunteers draw on these experiences to support new and expectant parents who are also experiencing challenges during the transition to parenthood.
Throughout 2023, there were 20 Peer Support Volunteers at PANDA. Their contribution included:
- 1,307.50 volunteer hours.
- 1,040 calls made to expecting and new parents.
- 1,066 attempted calls to expecting and new parents.
Calls that PANDA Peer Support Volunteers make can range from touching base to support that really helps people get through their day.
- 115 sent emails to expecting and new parents.
- 2,781 SMS contacts. SMS contacts are made to let parents know they are about to receive a call, or if a call was not answered.
Total contacts – 5,002 new and expecting parents
Board Members
PANDA Board Members
The volunteers on PANDA’s board and subcommittees are vital to our work. In 2023, out of the 8 board volunteers, 7 people have a lived experience.
We also have consumer and clinical volunteers on PANDA’s Quality and Clinical Governance Committee.
In 2023, PANDA’s board contributed:
- 290 hours (minimum) contributed at board and committee meetings.
- 30 hours contributed for special projects.
Jenni, PANDA Board Member
1
Tell us about yourself
2
Why did you choose to volunteer with PANDA?
3
What has been the best thing that’s happened at PANDA since you joined the PANDA Board?
4
What is your favourite activity to do with your family?
5
What is your favourite book?