Every Contribution Matters: A Drumming Celebration for Our Incredible Volunteers
- AMH Volunteer Team
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
On International Volunteer Day (5th December), we hosted an unforgettable celebration for amazing volunteer superstars. Our volunteers took part in an African Drumming Circle, run by Akwaaba African Drumming, Art and Craft, followed by pizza. Supported generously by the Department of Communities, the event resonated with lively beats and rhythms that symbolise unity and cooperation.
This year's theme for International Volunteering Day was "Every Contribution Matters," highlighting the priceless efforts of volunteers, no matter the size or type of their contributions. Volunteering, in general, plays a vital role in the community by fostering a sense of solidarity and social responsibility. In today's society, where many people face challenges such as poverty, loneliness, and environmental issues, volunteers provide essential support and resources. Their contributions help bridge service gaps and bring about positive change.
Kofi and Sally, the dynamic duo behind Akwaaba African Drumming, Art and Craft, led us through an unforgettable hour-long workshop filled with rhythm, movement, and joy. Together, we played traditional African drums, experimented with vibrant plastic tubes, and even joined in some lively African dancing. The smiles on our Activators’ faces said it all; pure connection and fun.
After the workshop, we gathered for a delicious pizza dinner from Sinatra’s Pizza Café, sharing stories and laughter around the table. To close the evening, each volunteer was honoured with a certificate of appreciation and a thoughtful gift, a small gesture to celebrate the immense value they bring to our community.
What our volunteers had to say about this event
These were some of the testimonials we got from our wonderful volunteers
“Wow! What an awesome event with a great vibe! I really enjoyed meeting other friendly AMH volunteers in such a fun environment. The African drumming workshop brought a sense of community, belonging and togetherness. Moving to the beats and laughing with others certainly made my inner child happy, and I’m sure the others felt the same, too! I felt appreciated and look forward to making more positive contributions.”
"It was great to get together with other Activators and do a delightful African drumming workshop. It was a great team-building exercise. There were lots of smiling faces & everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. I left feeling more connected to the other Activators and appreciated by Activate Mental Health. A delightful evening."
“Our International Volunteer Day celebration was an exceptional occasion for Activate Mental Health. The drumming activity proved to be a standout experience. The laughter and enthusiasm for the session fostered a strong sense of unity, encouraged collaboration, and created an atmosphere of positivity and shared purpose. It was so engaging, enjoyable, and genuinely uplifting for me and all who participated"
“It was a joy and an honour to attend Activate Mental Health’s International Volunteer Day. Seeing the diversity of volunteers and the different activities they use to help people overcome their isolation was uplifting. The evening was so well organised with drinks and food supplied. The hall was well set up on arrival with all the appropriate decorations. I felt welcomed. And then the drums arrived. We had a drumming lesson that was so much fun, and everybody participated. There were loud beats, and the dancing and laughter were infectious. I had a ball, and I would say that, with all the mixing that was happening, we all did. Each of us received a certificate of appreciation. We felt appreciated and acknowledged."
“As the leader of Activate Mental Health, I am privileged to lead this incredible team. I have observed our fantastic volunteers build friendships between themselves and our members, develop a sense of purpose, improve their skills, and even secure jobs and careers because of their volunteering,” says group founder Rahul Seth. “This was an outstanding occasion to celebrate their efforts and successes in helping our members to overcome social isolation and improve their mental well-being. It far exceeded our expectations, and it was wonderful to celebrate this amazing team and the difference they make to our members' mental well-being”
About our volunteers.
Our Activate Mental Health volunteers are an absolutely incredible team. From walking groups and board game nights to Silent Book Clubs, TED Talk Discussions, Bouldering sessions, quiz nights, and other enjoyable social events, we warmly provide our 8,000 members with a wide variety of volunteer-led activities. Between January and November 2025, our incredible team hosted 359 events throughout the Perth metropolitan area.
Volunteering with us
Are you interested in volunteering with Activate Mental Health? Check out our volunteer guide and FAQ on our website, and if you’d like to apply, you can fill out this form. We generally hold two volunteer intakes in March and October.
Need inspiration? You can also read Cyrille's, Justin's and other volunteers stories as well.
A big thanks
A big thank you to Kofi and Sally from Akwaaba African Dumming, Art and Craft for making our evening unforgettable. You can find them on Facebook and Instagram.
Thank you to The Department for Communities for allowing this maginificent celebration to occur.
