Client Service Manager, Patrick Murch, shares his love for volunteering.
"Giving back to the community does not need to be highly visible for it to be meaningful."
Allianz Volunteers – Patrick Murch
Last updated on July 29, 2021
Being of service runs in my blood. Growing up in a family in the armed forces, and my Dad a volunteer in the coast guard, I’ve always felt there’s more we can be doing at work and in the community. Volunteering is a great way to give back, keep occupied, socialise and meet new, interesting people that can help shape a broader perspective on life.
I love to share my knowledge and skills in different ways to help people. For example, I’m a volunteer with the NSW State Emergency Service; and at work, I’ve just become an Allianz First Aider. Another volunteer program I’m very proud to be involved in is Life Lab: Money. It’s a mentoring program between Allianz and the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Australia which seeks to equip young people with disabilities with the skills, confidence and knowledge to more effectively manage their finances.
I was excited to get involved because I saw the program as a way that I could utilise my professional expertise and personal experience to help a group of young people who face incomprehensible challenges every day. The participants, aged between 19 and 25 years, are all studying, working, or actively looking for work while moving towards financial independence. We start with basic concepts of financial literacy such as what paper money looks like and budgeting for day-to-day items, risks with credit cards and loans and how to have financial conversations with their family. It’s been a really rewarding experience and has helped build confidence in my leadership. Seeing them grow their financial literacy and knowing I’ve helped make a profound difference to them gives me a warm fuzzy feeling.
My experience really highlighted to me that there are so many organisations like Cerebral Palsy Alliance and other community-based initiatives that need the support of individuals with a variety of skills to continue making a difference to people who rely on the life-changing services these groups provide. I’m really grateful that initiatives like the partnership we have with the Cerebral Palsy Alliance allows us to capitalise on the diverse abilities of Allianz employees and demonstrates that giving back to the community does not need to be highly visible for it to be meaningful. It would be great to see more business utilising the untapped talent of their workforce to support community-based volunteer organisations like Allianz does.
Want to find out more about Allianz?
Disclaimer
This article has been prepared by Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFSL234708 ("Allianz"). In some cases, information has been provided to us by third parties and while that information is believed to be accurate and reliable, its accuracy is not guaranteed in any way.
Any opinions expressed constitute our views at the time of issue and are subject to change. Neither Allianz, nor its employees or directors give any warranty of accuracy or accept responsibility for any loss or liability incurred by you in respect of any error, omission or misrepresentation in this article.
We're here to help
Give us a call, or send us a message
Follow us on
Allianz acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work across Australia. We pay our respect to First Nations Elders past and present.
Any advice here does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions apply. Before making a decision about this insurance, consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)/Policy Wording and Supplementary PDS (if applicable). Where applicable, the PDS/Policy Wording, Supplementary PDS and Target Market Determination (TMD) for this insurance are available on this website. We do not provide any form of advice if you call us to enquire about or purchase a product.
Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFS Licence No. 234708 is the insurer of any general insurance products offered, and Allianz Australia Life Insurance Limited ABN 27 076 033 782 AFS Licence No. 296559 is the insurer of any life insurance products offered. Each entity is responsible for any statements and representations made about its products, on this website.