When Parkinson’s disease and serious heart-related health conditions forced him to leave the workforce, that sense of purpose disappeared almost overnight.  

          “I went from a full-time job to nothing overnight,” Mark recalls.  

Like many people living with chronic illness, the loss was about far more than employment. Leaving work also meant losing the daily interactions and social connections that had been a constant part of his life. Most of his friendships and support networks had been built through the hospitality industry, and when work stopped, many of those connections naturally faded.  

The timing made the transition even harder. With COVID disrupting communities and limiting social interaction, Mark found himself spending more and more time at home.  

           “Most of the people I knew were from the kitchens I worked in,” he says. “When I lost my job, I lost my social network as well.”  

Despite being comfortable in his own company, Mark soon realised that everyone needs connection. The challenge was finding a way to rebuild it while managing the ongoing realities of his health.  

In addition to Parkinson’s disease, Mark has spent years living with serious heart complications, including unstable angina. Everyday situations can trigger symptoms, including sudden changes in temperature.  

          “When I worked in kitchens, I would walk from the kitchen into the freezer and have to hold my breath because I couldn’t breathe properly,” he explains.  

For several years, treatment options were limited.  

          “I spent five years waiting for something to happen.”  

More recently, however, Mark received encouraging news. Following significant improvements in his overall health and wellbeing, specialists have identified him as a candidate for a new procedure involving an innovative medical device designed to help manage his symptoms – he will be one of the first eight people in Australia to receive it.  

For years, interventions had not been considered an option. Now, after a period in which he has become more active, engaged and connected through volunteering, doctors are preparing for a procedure that was previously off the table.  

          “It was a bit of a surprise,” Mark says. “I’d been waiting years.”  

His connection with Foodbank began not as a volunteer, but as a client. During conversations with his physiotherapist, he learned about volunteering opportunities available through the organisation.  

A few weeks later, when his physiotherapist mentioned that Foodbank was looking for volunteers, one role immediately stood out.  

          “I’ve been cooking professionally for more than 30 years,” Mark says. “I might not be as quick as I used to be, but I can still cook.”  

The opportunity to return to a kitchen environment while supporting the community felt like a natural fit.  

Several months later, Mark joined the team as a volunteer.  

What he didn’t expect was how much the experience would positively impact his own health and wellbeing.  

When asked how volunteering has helped him, his answer is simple.  

          “Social interaction.”  

Before volunteering with Foodbank, many of Mark’s days were spent at home with limited opportunities for meaningful engagement. Volunteering changed that. 

Now, four days a week, he works alongside staff and fellow volunteers preparing meals, sharing stories and enjoying the kind of everyday interactions many people take for granted.  

          “It’s not just the meals,” he says. “It’s the other volunteers. We have a laugh, give each other a bit of grief and enjoy the banter.”  

That sense of connection has become one of the most valuable parts of his volunteering experience.  

Having somewhere to go, people to see and meaningful work to contribute to has given Mark renewed purpose and routine. Alongside the physical activity of being on his feet and the mental stimulation of working as part of a team, volunteering has played an important role in improving his overall wellbeing.  

The positive changes have been noticed not only by friends and colleagues, but by medical professionals overseeing his care.  

While his physical health challenges remain, Mark says volunteering at Foodbank has improved his overall wellbeing in ways he never expected.  

          “It makes me feel good, I like that I can contribute in a meaningful way. I can’t do it all but what I can do, I do well” he says.  

The routine, the friendships and the sense of purpose have helped replace isolation with connection. Rather than spending his days at home alone, he now has something meaningful to contribute to and people who look forward to seeing him.  

Those improvements have extended beyond his mental health. While volunteering is not a replacement for medical treatment, Mark believes the increased activity, social connection and renewed sense of purpose have helped him become healthier and more engaged in life. The improvement has been significant enough that doctors have now approved him for a procedure that he previously was not considered well enough to receive.  

For Mark, that news represents more than a medical milestone. It is another reminder of how far he has come.   

What began as a visit to Foodbank as a client has become an important part of Mark’s recovery journey. Through volunteering, he has rebuilt social connections, regained confidence, strengthened his mental wellbeing and improved his overall quality of life. 

While the friendships, laughter and sense of belonging have been invaluable, the impact has also been reflected in his physical health, helping him reach a point where new treatment options are finally available. Mark’s story is a powerful reminder that volunteering can change lives, not only for the people receiving support, but for the volunteers themselves. Sometimes, a few days a week spent helping others can become the catalyst for renewed purpose, better health and hope for the future.

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Published on 19 October 2026.