Your Next Saturday Could Use a Hi-Vis Vest

It’s Friday night, and you’re deciding what Saturday morning should look like. Here’s an option that doesn’t need a training target: ask about a volunteer spot at your local parkrun.

Start with somewhere local

For an East Perth option, the City of Perth lists Claisebrook Cove parkrun as a Saturday 5km event starting at 8am; the Seniors Recreation Council of WA also confirms the weekly start time and welcomes volunteers. Treat that as your starting point, not a guarantee: check the organiser’s latest notices and confirm your volunteer arrival time before heading out. ([perth.wa.gov.au](https://www.perth.wa.gov.au/community/community-services-and-facilities/health-and-wellbeing))

Find your kind of useful

According to parkrun’s volunteer guidance, marshals guide and encourage participants, while finish-token volunteers hand out position tokens. Those are different jobs, so ask the team which available role suits your preferences and access needs. You’re offering your time, not auditioning for someone else’s idea of fitness. ([volunteer.parkrun.com](https://volunteer.parkrun.com/hc/en-us/articles/16857694255890-3-2-What-do-the-volunteers-do))

Learn the little system behind the finish

Here’s a detail worth knowing: parkrun’s barcode volunteers scan a participant’s personal barcode, then their finish-position token. That pairing connects the person with their place in the results—a small task with a specific purpose. Ask for the briefing, understand your part and follow the event team’s instructions. ([volunteer.parkrun.com](https://volunteer.parkrun.com/hc/en-us/articles/16857694255890-3-2-What-do-the-volunteers-do))

Fancy making room for this kind of Saturday? Join the Y-23 community for more local ways to get involved, on your own terms. Y-23 is not affiliated with parkrun.