Northern Rivers Community Gateway is a not-for-profit registered charity, supporting the Northern Rivers region for fifty years. We have delivered the Community Visitors Scheme throughout Northern NSW for over twenty years.

What do volunteer visitors do?

• Provide regular contact to a scheme recipient who lives in residential aged care or who receives a Home Care Package to live at home alone.

• Commit at least one hour per fortnight, for twelve months, to providing companionship for a scheme recipient. We understand that life can change, so are flexible and responsive to your changing needs.

• Face-to-face visits with scheme recipients are always preferred but if this is impractical, we support other communication methods.

• Visits are co-created by volunteer visitor and scheme recipient. Depending on the preferences of both people, there may be conversation, listening to music, walks, outings, cinema, theatre or more!

What do we do for you?

• Based on your location, interests and preferences, we will match you with a suitable scheme recipient.

• Our orientation and insurances include all the information and resources needed to make sure your experience as a volunteer visitor is safe, fun and rewarding.

• Our friendly scheme coordinator Kahn provides you with personalised, ongoing support, tailored to your specific needs.

• We are committed to making sure you feel valued and heard, through recognition, rewards and special events.

• As a volunteer with Community Gateway, you can access ongoing training opportunities to grow your skills and experience.

Important conditions

• You must be over 18 years of age.

• During your orientation, you will need to undergo a National Police Check, which is conducted and paid for by us

• Before you can visit any scheme recipient, you must have received at least two COVID-19 vaccination shots

What now?

Contact our scheme coordinator Kahn by calling 0427 558 126 or emailing kahnquinlan@nrcg.org.au. Kahn can answer any questions you might have and, if you’re ready, get you visiting before you know it.