At Baptist Care SA, our community is shaped by people who give their time and energy to help others feel seen and heard. Among them is Ruth Appiah, a volunteer who has become a familiar, welcoming face at our WestCare Centre.

Originally from Ghana, the 28 year old student arrived in Adelaide to begin her PhD in Physiotherapy at the University of South Australia. What began as a short stint volunteering in the WestCare kitchen over the 2023 Christmas period, grew into something much more meaningful.

Now, Ruth dedicates most Sunday mornings serving breakfast to those in need of good food and camaraderie. Ruth arrives at 8am to help alongside a small team of staff members, volunteers and placement students. They bake sausage rolls donated by a local bakery, prepare oats and cereal, cut up fruit, and get everything ready before the doors open at 9am.

For Ruth, the real work is the moments of connection that happen across the serving counter.

“I make a point of greeting everyone with a smile and asking them how their day is going,” she says. ” It’s about building conversations with people here and there while I serve the meals.”

Ruth finds that, more than anything, the people who come to WestCare are looking for a sense of normalcy and a bit of joy on a Sunday morning. She takes the time to listen to their stories, and offer a bit of hope when it’s needed.

“Most people are just really happy to be there. They are happy for a free meal and a chat – some take food for lunch later,” Ruth says. “It’s just good to have a good vibe and start to the day – to be that regular, familiar face.”

About half of the regular visitors now know Ruth by name and look forward to seeing her every other week. The power of these connections became clear one afternoon when she was standing outside the Adelaide City Library. A regular visitor of WestCare recognised her, and when she learned it was his birthday, he invited her to join him and his friend for lunch.

“I dropped what I was doing and went along with them, it was really special for me,” Ruth recalls. “For me, I’m not just someone who serves food, I’m the point of contact.”

Ruth’s passion and dedication for community was recently recognised when she was named International Student of the Year by StudyAdelaide. Despite her demanding schedule juggling study, medical work, and volunteering, Ruth says giving back is non-negotiable.

“There are people in much worse situations who need help and if I can do something to brighten someone’s day then I will,” she says. “The joy that you are making a good and positive impact – even just a few hours a week.”