Dubbo councillor John Ryan encourages younger residents to consider volunteering

About 19 per cent of Dubbo residents volunteer, according to the 2016 census data. It equates to almost 6000 people.

"A lot of our volunteer organisations the back bone of them are elderly people, people who have retired. They're the people now who we need to keep at home and keep safe," Cr Ryan said.

ALSO MAKING NEWS:

"If you're younger and you do have time on your hands, I think now is the time for you to consider what you can do for your community."

Dubbo residents aged between 40 and 54-years-old have the highest volunteer numbers, according to the Bureau of Statistics.

Pressure has been placed on volunteer organisations like Meals on Wheels as they deal with an increasing demand thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. But Cr Ryan says groups like those are providing a valuable service.

"Elderly people who have always prided themselves on looking after themselves are signing up for Meals on Wheels. Not so much because they're finding it difficult to cook but because they don't want to go down to the supermarket. I don't want to go to the supermarket," he said.

"It's the volunteers like this who have allowed many of our elderly people to stay at home and feel secured."

Charles Sturt University students are already working to fill the need.

"We have seen some of Charles Sturt University's students step up to help out, including some local nursing students who have jumped on board at Meals on Wheels since their volunteer base has been drastically reduced due to self-isolation," CSU external engagement director in Dubbo James McKechnie said.

"Tough times can bring out the best in people, and that has been reflected in our local community."

Cr Ryan acknowledged that some people were currently currently "working three times harder than they normally would" or may not have the capacity. But for those who do have time, he encouraged them to look at volunteer organisations they could support.