Grant Holland, CEO of Wavecare Inc talks to us about his work and inspiration.

Your organisation:

Wavecare is a community based not-for-profit counselling and community support organization governed by a volunteer Committee of Management.

We provide support to people who are in need of assistance due to illness, grief & loss, abuse, trauma, suffering, distress, homelessness, crisis, misfortune, disability, trauma and isolation.

Wavecare provides innovative services to children, adolescents, adults, families, couples, schools, groups and the business sector.

Wavecare is registered and accredited with the ATO and Consumer Affairs Victoria as a Not-For-Profit Charitable organization.

I also sit on the board of an all volunteer charitable foundation that also has received wonderful help from goodcompany.

What you do/who you help:

CRISIS SUPPORT

Crisis support in times of urgent need e.g. personal tragedy, Victorian bush fires 2009.

COUNSELLING

Counseling with Specialist Counselors, Psychologists, Social Workers and Family Therapists for a range of issues.

OTHER PROGRAMS

Ø Post Natal Depression Program

Ø Parenting Program

Ø Community Support Projects

Ø Programs for the Aged eg. Glencare activity group

Ø Family Support programs

Ø Material Aid

Ø Volunteers program

Ø Professional Supervision Program

Ø Groupwork

Ø Training and consultancy

What inspired you to get involved in your organisation?

A long family history of charitable and philanthropic work, which continues to inspire me and following generations to support those less fortunate than ourselves.

To look behind as you move forward and help those that may be trailing off.

Your responsibilities:

Our clients first and foremost, after that it sometimes feels like it’s juggling everything else in the universe!

Your greatest challenges:

1. Knowing which balls you can put down for a little while!

2. Finding the resources required to fulfill our mission and provide the best possible services to our client groups.

How have you utilized goodcompany (please provide examples of one or more recent wish outcomes)?

I have had nothing but amazing experiences with goodcompany and it’s volunteers. I have had large companies help me with employee contracts, one-off volunteers help us with event management at charity balls, companies donating tools and labor to keep our premises looking great, you name it – we ask goodcompany and our wishes actually do come true.

Even better than that, unlike Aladin’s lamp - your wishes never run out!

Tips for Community Groups and skilled volunteers working together:

1. Be clear about what you need and want, including time lines. Writing your agreed tasks/goals down is very helpful.

2. Be a little quirky with your wish title, it catches the eye in a market awash with requests for help.

3. Treat your volunteer like gold. They are.

Would you recommend goodcompany to other not-for-profit organizations?

Absolutely!