It's a visit, a cuppa, a drive to the shops or an outing to the local park that often makes all the difference in the life of an elderly person, combating loneliness and isolation along the way.
The Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) is celebrating 30 years of service and in a world that is busy and stressful, often with little time for the elderly, the dedication and genuine care of volunteers who generously give their time can make such a positive difference in an older person's life.
The CVS is funded by the Australian Government and was designed to improve quality of life and reduce isolation by matching an individual receiving care with a volunteer. In 2020, $10 million was earmarked for the CVS to further support older people feeling more isolated during the COVIDE-19 pandemic.
Loneliness can be attributed to various reasons, including little meaningful contact with friends or relatives, feeling isolated from their culture and heritage or mobility issues that prevent them from taking part in social or leisure activities.
Volunteer Doug appreciates the friendships that develop from his visits and says making others happy motivates him.
"With sharing experiences and tales from days gone by, listening and remembering are good traits for a volunteer. You need to have genuine empathy and be flexible, understanding your customer and his or her needs," he said
CVS visits are free to eligible recipients and are available to anyone receiving government subsidised residential aged care or Home Care Packages.
For Liz, volunteering is about sharing memories, listening to stories and finding things in common.
Liz said customer Maureen bakes the best macadamia and ginger shortbread biscuits and both thoroughly enjoy their visits when they share their mutual interests in art, travel and gardening.
To celebrate the anniversary of the CVS program, a number of local CVS providers hosted a morning tea to thank their volunteers and create awareness of the program. Held at the Vitality Village in Birtinya, guest enjoyed a delicious array of treats, impressive lucky door prizes donated by organisations across the Coast and a musical performance by the Sunshine Statesmen Barbershop Chorus.
In a celebration of friendship and connection in the local community, it was a reminder that we can reduce loneliness and social isolation, one visit at a time.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer community visitor, email the QLD CVS State Representative, Kieran Mawdsley at kieran@qccn.org.au or contact your local provider of the CVS.
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Therese Murray
Wordsmith. Senior journalist. Editor. I have a proven track record in helping people and communities solve their problems. My career is all about telling stories.
Wordsmith. Senior journalist. Editor. I have a proven track record in helping people and communities solve their problems. My career is all about telling stories.
