We have some extremely proud news to share; SCIA’s Advocacy Advisory Group (AAG) have been announced as Volunteer Team of the Year Award nominees at the “2025 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards”, in recognition of their invaluable contribution to SCIA.
These awards not only recognise and acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our volunteers; they also highlight the essential role that volunteers play in the not-for-profit sector that helps build social capital and community engagement.
Our nine Advocacy Advisory Group volunteers have provided their lived experience and advice on existing and new advocacy priorities and initiatives. Through the creation of statewide Advocacy Community Networks (ACN), they have made it possible for SCIA to engage with our spinal cord injury and neurological condition communities at the local grass roots level across NSW.
Our ACN events are held in the ACT with Spinal ACT, Parramatta, New England Region, South Eastern Sydney, Blue Mountains and the Mid North Coast. Please check the events page on this website to register for an ACN event near you.
Get to know our ACN Hosts.
To celebrate SCI Day in 2025, we reached out to some of our ACN and AAG volunteers to asked the following questions:
- Q 1: How to do feel about being a volunteer Advocacy Advisory Group member?
- Q 2: What has volunteering for SCIA meant to you?
And these are their responses:
Tanya Fitch – Peer Leader for the New England area
Q 1: I really enjoy being part of the AAG. SCIA drives positive change through thoughtful initiatives, innovative programs, and vital services. The AAG adds unique value by providing feedback and practical suggestions, especially from members with lived experience. This collaboration helps SCIA refine its offerings, keeping them relevant to real-world needs and fostering ongoing improvement.
Q 2: Being retired from the workforce, I still have a need for helping others and volunteering is a way I can do this. When someone chooses to devote their time, energy, and skills to a cause without expectation of material compensation, their commitment is rarely superficial. Instead, this form of engagement is fuelled by a sense of purpose and identity, drawing on profound emotional and intellectual reserves. The act of giving time and effort freely fosters a sense of gratitude, empathy, and connection. It builds networks that are grounded in shared purpose, not just professional advancement.
Raja Relf – Peer Leader South Eastern Sydney Area
Q 1: It feels great to be volunteering especially about issues that affects me personally and affects my local community as a person with Spinal cord injuries.
Q 2: Volunteering for SCIA means that I’m giving back. It means a lot to me especially that I’m hoping the issues we bring about and discuss contribute to actions being taken as they are fed back into the organisation.
Sarah Lynn Eade – Peer Leader Mid North Coast
Q1: I feel like I’m making a difference, and I now have the ability to help others which gives me so much fulfilment in life and I’m honoured to be a part of such an amazing organisation
Q 2: It means building connections with others that have disabilities having people to relate guide and suggest and help each other buildings communities within our community.
Congratulations to all involve in achieveing this wonderful nomination, SCIA is so proud of the work you completed and the change you are making.
Please check the events page on this website to register for an ACN event near you.
