Volunteering has been a part of Mehak Sheikh’s life since she was a child.
She was just two years old when she first joined her parents delivering food to their closest mosque and hospital in Nairobi, where she was born.
When they moved to Dubai, she continued accompanying her parents in their quest to look after those less fortunate.
So it was only natural when her family moved to Melbourne’s western suburbs four years ago that Mehak began volunteering on her own accord.
In between tutorials, lectures and studying for her Bachelor of Psychology, which she’s completing at the University of Melbourne, Mehak teaches belly dancing at the Delahey Community Centre, is a mentor for Copperfield College’s community health advancement and student engagement program, which aims to improve health through education.
She also runs the Humans of Brimbank Facebook page, advocates for diversity and frequently gives talks about intercultural engagement.
“For me, it’s part of my family culture, so I’m quite passionate about it,” the 20-year-old says.
And she wants more young people to make time for others.
Not only are you helping people, she says, but it can be a great way to build up your resume.
Youth unemployment is another area of concern for the Tarneit resident.
To do something about it, she’s applying to join Brimbank council’s first ever youth ambassador program, the aim of which is to give young people a say in local government.
Brimbank council’s community wellbeing director Kath Brackett said the initiative came about after young people requested more leadership opportunities to connect them to “people and institutions with influence”.
It has been developed in partnership with the Foundation for Young Australians.
Ms Brackett said the council would like to hear from teens and people in their 20s about the issues they care about most.
“We’re keen to explore young peoples’ perception of safety, an issue raised through the Brimbank youth strategy consultation as their primary concern,” she said.
Fifteen people aged 15-25 years will be chosen for the 12-month program, which will put them in contact with council officers, speaking on local radio stations, running workshops and presenting at events, such as National Youth Week.
Ms Sheikh said the 15 ambassadors could be a voice for Brimbank.
Register online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/93HV8SP or contact Lauren Kerr on 9249 4130 or laurenk@brimbank.vic.gov.au.
