Mary’s House Services

Tell us about Mary’s House Services. What is your mission?
Mary’s House Services is a specialist domestic and family violence service based on Sydney’s North Shore. Founded by community members who recognised a gap in support for women and children escaping violence, it provides refuge accommodation, case management, and community programs.

Mary’s House champions gender equality, celebrates diversity and advocates for everyone’s right to live in safety. At the heart of its work are respect, empathy, kindness, and giving people control over their choices.

What are your programs/initiatives and why do you run them?
The services are designed to support women and children at every stage of their journey. These include:

• Safe refuge accommodation for women and children escaping violence.
• Case management and social work support.
• The NSW Government-funded Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV) program.
• Community programs including therapeutic groups, counselling, mentoring, workshops and advice clinics.

Mary’s House delivers these programs because domestic and family violence has far-reaching impacts on individuals, families and communities. By providing practical support, professional guidance and opportunities for connection and healing, women and children are helped to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.

How do you involve volunteers in your programs?
Volunteers are an essential part of Mary’s House Services and contribute their skills, experience and compassion across many areas of the organisation.

They support community programs, events, fundraising activities, maintenance, administrative functions, mentoring, deliveries, and special projects. Volunteers also play a key role in major events such as the Mary’s House Walk, helping with planning, registration, setup, course support, and community engagement.

How do your volunteers make a difference in the community?
The impact of Mary’s House volunteers is extraordinary.

Last year, 98 active volunteers contributed more than 1,874 hours to support its mission. Their contribution helps to extend services, strengthen community connections, and create opportunities that would otherwise be impossible.

Whether assisting at events, supporting programs, sharing professional expertise, helping with practical tasks or raising awareness about domestic and family violence, volunteers make a real difference in the lives of women and children experiencing hardship and trauma.

Do you have any stories from your volunteers?
A favourite example is the Mary’s House Walk. Last year, around 70 volunteers came together to support this major community fundraising event. Volunteers assisted with everything from event logistics and participant engagement to registrations and course support. Their enthusiasm and commitment helped create a welcoming and successful event that brought the community together around a shared cause.

Mary’s House Services is continually inspired by volunteers who generously contribute their professional expertise, practical skills and time, often balancing volunteering alongside work, family and other commitments. Their dedication reminds Mary’s House that meaningful change happens when a community comes together.

What resources and services have helped support your volunteer involvement?
The Centre for Volunteering has provided valuable resources, training, networking opportunities, and sector-wide best-practice guidance that have helped strengthen the volunteer program. Through these resources, Mary’s House Services has continued to improve volunteer engagement, induction, communication and overall volunteer experience.

Being connected to a broader community of volunteer-involving organisations has also enabled the organisation to learn from others and continuously improve its approach.

Why did your organisation become a member of The Centre? What benefit has it brought your organisation?
As a volunteer-involving organisation, Mary’s House wanted to ensure its volunteer program reflected best practice and provided a positive, meaningful experience for everyone involved.

Membership has connected Mary’s House Services with valuable resources, professional development opportunities and a network of organisations committed to strengthening volunteering across NSW. It has also supported efforts to build a consistent, responsive and sustainable volunteer program.

What have you learnt about the value of volunteering and/or volunteer management?
The organisation has learnt that volunteers bring far more than their time. They bring passion, lived experience, professional expertise, creativity and community connections.

Mary’s House has also learnt that effective volunteer management is about creating an environment where people feel welcomed, supported, trained and appreciated. When volunteers feel connected to the mission and understand the impact they are making, they become powerful ambassadors for the cause and the community.

What would you say to someone thinking of volunteering?
Mary’s House would encourage anyone considering volunteering to take the first step.

Volunteers do not need to have specialist knowledge about domestic and family violence to make a difference. Whether a volunteer can offer a few hours at an event, professional skills, practical support or simply a willingness to help, your contribution matters.

Volunteering is a wonderful way for people to connect with their community, develop new skills, meet like-minded people and create positive change.

If you are looking for a place to start, Mary’s House Services invites people to join the Mary’s House Services Walk on Sunday, the 25^th of October 2026 in North Sydney. This is a fantastic opportunity to support women and children affected by domestic and family violence while experiencing the power of community in action.

Please contact [email protected] if you are interested.

Together, volunteers and the wider community can help create safer futures and stronger communities.