Volunteer finds connection through aged care visits

For five years, Ursula Lueg has been brightening the lives of older Australians as a volunteer with IMPACT Community Services through the Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme (ACVVS).

The Australian Government-funded program connects volunteers with older people experiencing social isolation, whether in their own homes or in residential aged care, offering companionship through regular visits.

With many older Australians experiencing loneliness, programs like ACVVS play a vital role in building connection and community across Bundaberg and the North Burnett.

For Ursula, it was her friend and former IMPACT ACVVS Coordinator Heather Hinsbey who first encouraged her to get involved. At the time, Ursula was hesitant, unsure if she had the time to commit.

Now, five years on, she says the experience has given her far more than she expected.

“It helps me to stay open,” Ursula said. “I'm not just concentrating in my own little world.”

“I personally have a few neighbours I visit for myself, who are elderly people.

“I will just knock on the door and say, are you okay? Do you need anything?”

Through her volunteering, Ursula has found connection in more ways than one, not just within her Bundaberg community, but also with her German heritage.

A year after falling in love with Australia as a German tourist in 1979, Ursula decided to make our country her home. Her German roots make Ursula a perfect match for local German seniors who wish to speak their first language during visits.

Ursula’s first match was with a German woman who had lost her husband and was struggling with loneliness. Ursula visited her at her home, where they’d often settle in the backyard with coffee and a bite to eat.

Next, she was matched with Yvonne, a woman living in a residential aged care facility. Ursula said that Yvonne’s poor hearing made it challenging to connect at first, but Heather soon came to the rescue with a hearing device.

“I put it on and you could see her eyes lights flicker,” Ursula said.

“I could ask her questions. She was so sweet.”

When Yvonne passed away, it deeply affected Ursula. That’s where IMPACT’s training plays a crucial role, helping volunteers understand their boundaries, navigate grief and care for themselves.

Ursula pushed through this tough chapter and came out stronger. She now visits James, a mutual dog owner and lover.

She said that James asked her to bring her dog, Charlie, along to their catchups, and the rest is history.

“There isn't a much easier way to connect than through a dog,” Ursula said.

“I say we’re going to visit James and Charlie looks up, hops in the car and knows exactly where we're going because he gets beautiful little treats.”

To those considering volunteering, Ursula’s message is crystal clear: it’s worth it.

IMPACT asks that volunteers visit once per fortnight at a minimum. Ursula said that while young people are busy with their work and social lives, ACVVS can easily fit into their schedules and teach them valuable life lessons along the way.

“Young people would learn to respect and see that older people are not just old,” Ursula said.

“They have a wealth of experience and humour, and they're not taking things so seriously anymore.”

Whether volunteer visitors and seniors play board games, listen to music or reminisce about days gone by during their time together, it’s time well spent.

Funded by The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme is for everyone, young, old and in-between.

Anyone with as little as an hour a fortnight can make a difference.

To become a volunteer visitor and help bring connection to someone in your community, visit www.impact.org.au/support-and-wellbeing/volunteer