2022 Senior Volunteer of the Year Award Winner

Joy Rappo

The Compassionate Friends, South Western Sydney

“She inspires other volunteers to give themselves unconditionally… the love and support that she has given to so many is priceless.” – Nominator

Following the tragic loss of her son Anthony, Joy and her husband found support with The Compassionate Friends. This worldwide organisation is devoted to the support of parents, grandparents, and siblings after the loss of a child. Since that time, Joy has dedicated herself to the organisation, helping others navigate their grief with unmatched care, understanding and empathy.

Throughout her 20 years of involvement, Joy had undertaken a range of activities and roles, from training group facilitators and staff, travelling across the state to support other branches, organising events (such as groups walks, therapeutic classes in pottery and art and candlelight memorial ceremonies), liaising with the Regulatory Bodies to ensure compliance and appropriate governance, driving funding applications, to collecting recipes for a dedicated cookbook consisting of comforting recipes.

The impact of her work resonates not only through the one-on-one support she provides grieving parents but more broadly, in supporting the organisation’s capacity to deliver support to families locally and nationally.

To learn more about The Compassionate Friends NSW, visit their website.