Big Group Hug streamlines volunteer support to help more children

With support from a FFV Community Grant, Big Group Hug has strengthened its volunteer operations through the Streamlining and Safeguarding Volunteers project, a critical initiative to meet rising demand for material aid for children aged 0–16 years. 

Big Group Hug’s 400 volunteers are the backbone of its service, processing donations, testing nursery equipment for safety, and dispatching aid packs to families in crisis. In 2024, demand for these essentials surged by 41%, driven by economic pressures and growing community need. 

To keep pace, Big Group Hug needed to create a safer, more efficient environment for volunteers.

FFV’s grant of $19,500, alongside the organisation’s own contribution of $8,000, enabled the purchase of laptops with upgraded software, mobile phones, and video conferencing technology, improving digital security and communication across three warehouse locations.

“The conferencing equipment has allowed us to bring together our community of volunteers from all three locations and enabled us to deliver much higher quality training experience”. 

- Sarah, Operations and IT Director, Big Group Hug

Additional software licences streamlined the processing of aid requests, while new shelving and a washing machine boosted storage and donation recovery capacity. 

Safety was also a priority, with new machines to test and tag donated electrical items and meet strict standards, as well as replacement pads for the organisation’s defibrillator, providing peace of mind for volunteers on site. New uniforms and aprons fostered team unity and belonging. 

These improvements have had a significant impact, with volunteer satisfaction and retention greatly improved. Additionally, Big Group Hug has increased its capacity to process and dispatch essential items. In the 2024–25 financial year, the organisation delivered 139,000+ items to more than 7,500 babies and children, alleviating financial stress for families facing homelessness, unemployment, or family violence. 

FFV is proud to support Big Group Hug in creating a safer, more connected volunteer community.