Become a Volunteer Companion and facilitate well-being in aged care facilities, through arts and crafts, movement and outdoor activities, conversation, storytelling, meaningful connection and administrative support.

No experience necessary, just a desire to visit a senior and facilitate connection. All training provided.

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Help bring the joy of friendship and companionship to our older Australians

We want to hear from you if you are inquisitive, sociable and passionate about combating loneliness in some of the most vulnerable members in our community.

Volunteering even a small amount of time, connection and companionship can have an enormous and direct impact on the lives of others. You might be a student, retiree or working fulltime, and whilst we aim to be flexible to fit into your schedule, forming connection does take time, so preference is given to longer-term volunteers. However, let us know your availability and we will try our best to match you with an activity that fits your preferences.

You can make a real difference

You don’t need any experience, just enthusiasm and a desire to give back to the community. We offer flexibility, induction and ongoing training, reimbursement for travel and required checks and clearances, but most importantly, the opportunity to become a part of our compassionate and inter-generational community.

This is a national movement to support our older Australians in aged care facilities, who have experienced increased social isolation and loneliness during the pandemic.

VOLUNTEERS MAY ASSIST WITH ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Leisure activities such as reading, music, table top games, gardening, arts and crafts
• Companionship and conversation (chat about shared interests, reminisce on old stories)
• Access to and supervision in outdoor spaces or the community
• Physical activity and exercise, including walk around local gardens, enjoy fresh air, game of lawn bowls
• Mobilising support in aid of the activities above
• Culturally specific and individually appropriate support to enhance the well-being of our residents
• Administration support (answering calls, internal message running, restocking of PPE)
• Volunteers do not take on hands-on carer or support worker roles. Volunteers will NOT be asked to assist with nursing care, infection, medication, continence management, complex or high-risk resident transfer, direct care for infected residents or documenting provision of care.

Training and Supervision

You will be assisted by your onsite coordinator/mentor who will conduct your orientation and be your point of contact for all communication and supervision. Your time commitment will be flexible but clearly defined alongside your role, in agreement with your coordinator. The program will provide online induction training (approx. 6.5 hours in total) to set you up for a successful volunteer experience in aged care. This could include training on dementia and safe movement, personal protective equipment and infection control, as well as the required checks and clearances (listed below) prior to commencing with a residential aged care facility (RACF). This training is an opportunity to grow your learning and invest in your own skills for now and into the future. Your coordinator will provide on-going support and assistance with facility-specific training.

The Australian Government is encouraging the return of volunteers and engagement of new volunteers to residential aged care facilities through this ‘ Re-engaging Volunteers into Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF) Program’.