Danielle Pham

Danielle volunteered for Volunteer Network for 6 years for 3 hrs twice a week. Danielle was a Guest Speaker at one of workshops and spoke about her time with us, this is her story.

My name is Danielle Pham and I am 27 years old and I have Down syndrome. I live with my Friend and carer Liz in Croydon Park she is like an extended member of my family. We have known each other since I was a baby and have lived together on a permanent basis since I was 5 years old. My family who come from Vietnam live in Brisbane and we all have a good relationship. I have 3 sisters, 1 brother, 3 nephews and 2 nieces.

I went to St Scholastics College in Glebe and did my high school certificate life skills which I did very well in.

After school I went to Tafe and did Hospitality, child care and office skills and a computer course. It was then I decided that I would like to work in an office.

I joined a job agency but paid jobs for people with disabilities are very hard to find especially in an office. Liz found me some volunteer jobs in various offices.

I worked with the Spastic Centre, Accessible arts, Cid, Special Olympics and with the volunteer Network centre at Woodstock.

These jobs were all on a volunteer basis and they included various office jobs, like photocopying, shredding, typing, filing, mail delivery, some cleaning jobs and various other things. Liz said it was a good thing to do cos i did get a support pension from the Government so I was getting paid and it was great not to sit at home and do nothing.

During this time I had 3 different job agencies and none of them could find me a permanent job although I did have one for a few hours a week for a 3 month period.

Three years ago I was lucky enough to go on a backpacking holiday with Liz for 3 months to Vietnam to see where my family came from, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. It was a great experience and I enjoyed every minute of it.

When I came back I had lost all my volunteer jobs which was a bit depressing but Woodstock let me come back to them which was great.

I would like to tell you about my volunteer job at Volunteer Network Service in Burwood. I worked there since 2005 as a volunteer 3 hours twice a week.

My duties included photocopying, computer work, general office duties, assisting with annual Burwood Festivals at Burwood Park and attending International Volunteer Breakfasts at Burwood RSL and assisting with morning teas and expos.

I enjoyed working with Julie, Jacqueline and Michael and they are such wonderful people to work with.

Working at Volunteer Network service made me feel happy, and kept me busy. I gained confidence and it helped to improve my office skills and social skills. I think it is fantastic to help and care for others.

People did not treat me any differently and I felt happy and useful.

We should give people with disabilities a chance. If they can’t get paid work more places should let them do volunteer work. This will give them confidence, and help them gain new skills. The volunteer network service is a fantastic service which helps in all areas.

I left the service last year in November because I was lucky enough to get a job with the ABC at Ultimo. I work 4 hours a day Tuesday to Friday doing office duties. I am very happy there and love the people and what I am doing. They say I am doing a very good job.

I enjoyed volunteering at this service and I think it is great to work with such wonderful friendly people and in a friendly office environment. If I had not been lucky enough to do volunteer work I may not have got this job. I would have been very bored and not gained all the skills that I have done. If people wish to volunteer if they have a disability, please give them a fair go and this would make a BIG difference to their lives it would make them feel worthwhile.

I want to thank everybody for giving me that opportunity.

Danielle Pham