108 Bargara Rd
Bundaberg East, Qld, 4670
Raymond Toms began his journey into aged care with trips from Fiji to Australia, where he volunteered up to twice a year for three months at a time through IMPACT Community Services’ Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS).
His time as a volunteer not only brightened the lives of residents but also deeply impacted his own life and career. The ACVVS gave him a chance to form meaningful connections, explore new paths, and make a genuine difference in the lives of older people.
Visits were filled with heartfelt conversations and shared stories.
“The highlight of my experience,” he recalled, “was seeing their smiles and knowing I’d made a difference.”
The connections he formed and the life stories he heard were invaluable, giving him a new perspective on life and grounding him in ways he hadn’t anticipated.
Inspired by his volunteering experience, Raymond pursued a Diploma in Aged Care Nursing in Fiji. However, when he sought employment in Australia, he discovered that his qualifications didn’t meet Australian standards.
Undeterred, he returned to Fiji, completed a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), and then earned a Certificate III in Aged Care from a college in Sydney.
This determination paid off, and Raymond has now been working in the aged care industry for four years, with each step rooted in his volunteering experience.
Raymond’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the impact volunteering can have on young people. “Just do what your heart tells you and go for it,” he said, encouraging others to follow his path.
“It’s incredibly rewarding.”
Volunteering not only provided him with invaluable experience but also shaped his career and personal growth.
For young people wanting to make a difference, the ACVVS offers a chance to create meaningful connections and discover new life paths.
Raymond’s journey shows that volunteering can open doors to unexpected opportunities, fostering a sense of purpose, growth, and community along the way.
Interested in volunteering? Contact IMPACT Community Services Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme Coordinator on 0448 035 891 or 07 4153 4233 to find out more and start making a difference today! Volunteers are needed in the Bundaberg, Childers, Monto, Gin Gin, Gayndah, Mt Perry, and Biggenden areas.
Please note: This website may contain references to, or feature images, videos, and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have passed away.
