108 Bargara Rd
Bundaberg East, Qld, 4670
Feeling lonely, particularly for the older people in our community, is no small matter - it can have a significant impact on one’s wellbeing.
According to the World Health Organisation, ‘a large body of research shows that social isolation and loneliness have a serious impact on older people’s physical and mental health, quality of life, and their longevity’.
WHO state, ‘the effect of social isolation and loneliness on mortality is comparable to that of other well-established risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity’.
For many older people in our community experiencing social isolation can be combated by volunteers with the Community Visitor Scheme.
When volunteering with Community Visitor Scheme at IMPACT Community Services, you can spend at least an hour each fortnight visiting people in aged care facilities, or whom have home care packages.
This friendship program is about enriching lives, so it’s important that you are both enjoying the time you spend together. Some of the activities IMPACT’s volunteers do are playing cards and board games, listening to music, going for a short walk, having a cuppa and a chat or even letter writing.
People may be experiencing social isolation for myriad of reasons, from little contact with friends or relatives, to feeling isolated from their culture and heritage, and mobility issues that prevent them from taking part in social or leisure activities.
CVS volunteers can improve help people feel less lonely.
While no one is immune from feelings of loneliness, we can do our part to make friends, family and older community members feel a little less alone by volunteering.
IMPACT has been delivering the CVS in the region for nearly 30 years, helping thousands of people stay connected and find new friends.
Quality social connections play a huge role in our wellbeing, and by volunteering with CVS you could be making a positive difference in the life of someone else, and yourself.
IMPACT has volunteering opportunities Bundaberg, Monto, Gayndah, Childers, and Gin Gin.
To find out more about volunteering at IMPACT, phone Heather on 0448 035 891 or 07 4153 4233.
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.