From providing a sense of purpose and social connection to improving physical wellbeing, volunteering provides opportunities to make a positive impact while enhancing your own life.
The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) is a program centred around social interaction, designed to offer companionship and support to individuals who would benefit from the regular company of a dedicated volunteer. This involves in-person visits to foster friendship and closeness.
The ACVVS team matches care recipients with volunteers who have similar interests, hobbies, background and preferences. The team then introduces volunteers with a care recipient and stays in regular contact to make sure they are enjoying the friendship.
The Scheme is free and made for people who live in aged care homes, live in their own homes and are on a waiting list for a Home Care Package, or who receive services through an HCP.
Contact between the volunteer and the care recipient is regular, either weekly or fortnightly, at a mutually convenient time. Visitors may have a cuppa and a chat, take a walk or go on an outing, swap information about shared hobbies or interests, enjoy a favourite TV show or another activity you enjoy.
While volunteers are not able to provide personal or nursing care, domestic assistance or household maintenance, get involved in family or personal affairs, advocate on your behalf or undertake activities outside of their role, like shopping or taking you to appointments, they are available to form meaningful connections and provide companionship.
Elder Rights Advocacy, a non-profit supporting older peoples’ right to quality life and care, are always seeking new volunteers to join ACVVS. If you think you would benefit from giving your time and friendship, you can contact 1800 022 887 or acvvs@era.asn.au to learn more.
