Denmark duo seize the day at St John WA 

Denmark’s Mahsa Anderson is active in more ways than one.

She is a runner, soccer player and a psychologist who loves helping others. 

Despite her busy schedule, Mahsa had thought about volunteering with St John WA (SJWA) for years, but the timing was never quite right.  

Then she discovered how much of a difference SJWA makes. 

“[My husband] experienced serious back issues and at one stage required ambulance assistance,” Mahsa said.  

“Around the same period, I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and in a sense, I felt I became reliant on the health system.” 

Mahsa took what others might see as setbacks and used them as motivation to seize the day and step into volunteering.   

“I decided the time was right to give back, and I refused to allow my diagnosis to stop me from doing what I wanted to do,” she said. 

Mahsa signed up to become a SJWA volunteer with the help of Emma Spencer-Percy, another volunteer based in Denmark.  

Mahsa and Emma knew each other through their shared interests: they are both psychologists, belong to a running club, and play on the same soccer team.  

It seemed like a natural fit for Emma to bring Mahsa into the SJWA fold through the Legend2Legend volunteer referral program.  

“Mahsa has a lot of experience working with complex situations through her work as a psychologist, but also has a lovely, happy personality,” Emma said.  

“She works really well in a crisis while still being able to smile and make people laugh.” 

Emma has been a SJWA volunteer for nearly two years, serving the Denmark community as an Emergency Medical Assistant (EMA).  

Pursuing her master’s degree in neuroscience, Emma juggles volunteering with study by being flexible with her schedule and workspace. 

She said the best part of serving in Denmark was feeling like she truly belonged to the area. 

“It is one of the most welcoming and supportive places I’ve ever been connected with,” she said.  

“It wasn’t until I joined SJWA that I started to feel as if I was part of the community.” 

Approaching the end of her first year as an EMA, Mahsa said she had thoroughly enjoyed the experience and learnt a lot along the way. 

“The sub centre, the team – everyone is so warm, welcoming, encouraging, and supportive,” she said.  

“I drive the van, I know the equipment layout, I know how to park in and get the stretcher in and out.  

“I feel equipped and confident to handle any medical emergency.” 

Mahsa, a mother of two teenagers, loves working at the Denmark Sub Centre and plans to expand her training while working full time.  

“What I’m most looking forward to is doing some voluntourism around the state – maybe even with my husband once he starts his volunteer journey,” she said.

Both Mahsa and Emma urged anyone else considering signing up as a volunteer to have a go.

Mahsa said there’s nothing to lose by getting involved.  

“If you’re thinking about it and it aligns with your interests and values, sign up, because tomorrow is not promised,” Mahsa said. 

“If you try it and decide it’s not for you, you’ve gained life experience, valuable skills, and new friends.” 

A recent survey released for National Volunteer Week found nine in 10 Western Australians think favourably about people who volunteer, click here to learn more.  

More than 5000 volunteers contribute their time across a range of roles from on-road emergency ambulance response in country WA, to logistics, volunteer support, community transport and Event Health Services. To become a volunteer visit, https://stjohnwa.com.au/changelives.