Make a real difference; visit someone in care

Residents of Gayndah and Monto are encouraged to make an elderly person's day through IMPACT's AGED CARE VOLUNTEER VISITORS SCHEME (formerly Community Visitor's Scheme )

25/08/2020

The call has gone out for volunteers in the Gayndah and Monto communities to join IMPACT Community Services’ AGED CARE VOLUNTEER VISITORS SCHEME (formerly Community Visitor's Scheme ) (ACVVS).

The scheme links volunteers with residents in aged care facilities, including Gunther Village in Gayndah and Ridgehaven in Monto.  ACVVS can also link volunteers to clients in their homes who receive a Home Care Package.

Many elderly people are missing key interactions, and even more so in these COVID times.

ACVVS coordinator Heather Hinsbey said volunteering was an amazing way to contribute.

Learn more about ACVVS

Ms Hinsbey said the organisation had seen a drop in volunteer numbers from the onset of COVID.

“If you have a little spare time, would like to make a new friend or change someone’s life for the better, talk to us today about volunteering in the AGED CARE VOLUNTEER VISITORS SCHEME (formerly Community Visitor's Scheme ),” Ms Hinsbey said.

“Our volunteers take great pride in becoming a regular friendly visitor and enriching the quality of life of the people they visit.

“Perhaps you’ll enjoy having a game of cards, listening to music, playing a board game, taking a short walk outside, helping to write letters, reminiscing about days gone by or simply having a chat and a cuppa.

“We ask that you are able to make a regular visit, approximately an hour a week.”

She said volunteering provided a healthy boost to a person’s self-confidence, self-esteem and life satisfaction.

“Regardless of your skill set, we love engaging with people from varied backgrounds and welcome all volunteers as valued members of an amazing team,” Ms Hinsbey said.

Find out why Roy volunteered for 28 years

She said she was frequently confronted with people praising the benefits of the scheme, to visitors and residents alike.

“I often hear from our volunteers about how much they get out of the scheme,” she said.

"Our volunteers often tell me 'If you think that I am giving to the resident I visit, well whatever I give, I get three times more'.”

If you are interested in volunteering in the ACVVS, contact Heather Hinsbey at IMPACT on 4153 4233.