_Community Stories: Grant Bulpett youth mentoring and support

Please tell us a little about how you have gone above and beyond to serve your local community

I am currently involved with two organisations – Clontarf Foundation and Feel the Magic. 

The Clontarf Foundation strives to assist in the education and employment of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men. In 2018 I had the pleasure of having a group of young men from Mount Druitt High School come into our Parramatta office as part of an initiative run by the Clontarf Foundation.

The purpose of the visit was to talk them through my life growing up in Mount Druitt, including some of the struggles and successes that I have had along the way. After meeting and speaking with the boys, we took them on a tour of some of our development sites in Northwest Sydney.

In addition I'm also a mentor at Feel the Magic. Feel the Magic provides help and support to young children who are dealing with the grief of losing a parent or sibling. As part of the mentoring program, I spend a few weekends a year at a camp called Camp Magic. Camp Magic is designed to help give children the tools to work through the multiple stages of the grieving process. 

Image: Grant and his Feel the Magic mentee

Why is this charity so close to your heart? Or, why is volunteering important to you? 

It was an honour to be asked to present to these boys, and having grown up in Mount Druitt and having very little by the way of money or possessions, I felt I could really relate to some of their challenges. When speaking with the boys, it was important to me, for them to realise that with hard work and determination that anything is possible.

With regards to Feel the Magic, this is something that is very close to me as I can directly relate to what the children are going through. By the time I was 17 both my mother and father had passed away, so I feel privileged to be able to guide and help kids through what is a very difficult time in their lives. 

What do you think is the value of volunteerism? To volunteers, communities and companies

I feel that volunteerism should be considered as a social responsibility, being able to give back selflessly and assist those in need. It also provides opportunities to develop new skills and build on existing personal experiences.

What did you learn from the experience? Or, what impact has volunteering had on you? 

Volunteering has a way of humbling you and encourages you to look differently at certain situations and past experiences. 

Being a part of Feel the Magic has given me the opportunity to grow from my own experiences and has provided me with the means to help others.

Image: Grant and a group of teenage boys from the Clontarf Foundation

Did your volunteering help to connect you with others and if so how? 

Absolutely. As a result of my past, I always felt somewhat isolated and misunderstood. However, meeting fellow volunteers you quickly gain an understanding that there are others who have shared in similar experiences. 

What impact did this have on you as an individual and your community? Or, why do you think volunteering is important to communities? 

Personally, the impact that is achieved during camp is one built around self-reflection and growth, however it’s not until after the camp that you realise the true impact you have had on others. This is particularly important in communities when providing additional support and guidance to other family members.

Do you think your volunteering has had an effect on your career and if so how? 

Volunteering grounds you and puts things into perspective, giving me a sense of purpose while giving back to the community. It has taught me very valuable lessons which I'm able to adapt to my day to day task and management style.   

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of volunteering?

Just do it - becoming a mentor has changed my life. I would encourage you to find a cause that means something to you and one that you can relate to. 

Do you have any future volunteering plans? 

Definitely. Unfortunately, the March Feel the Magic camp was cancelled due to COVID-19, however I will undoubtedly continue my involvement in future camps.

How did you find out about the volunteering opportunity/how can others find an initiative to get involved with?

It was introduced to me by a friend who is also a mentor and had been for many years.  Knowing my story, he explained to me that by sharing my experience, I would have an opportunity to make a difference to a child’s life, from that moment I knew I wanted to get involved. 

There are a variety of great organisations available within your local community, if you’re considering volunteering, I would suggest you find something that you’re passionate about and start researching the best ways you can contribute.