You can make a difference...

Many elderly Australians in aged care homes are socially isolated from the community. QCCN is looking for people with big hearts to visit these senior citizens and reconnect them with the community. It only takes an hour a fortnight and all you have to do is be a friend.

Residents enjoy the social visits of our volunteers. You will be matched one-on-one with a resident who has been identified as socially isolated, or at risk of becoming so. Volunteers enjoy a coffee and chat, or perhaps a board game with their new friend, and through ongoing visits create a wonderful new friendship for someone in need.

We have many residents in a care home in Maroochydore who are without any family or friends who visit them. Male residents across all ages are looking for a new friend who can volunteer their time for a social visit. Volunteer Visitors enrich the lives of our elders in care and help bring them a sense of connection from their local community. Studies have proven that loneliness can be just as detrimental to our health as smoking - and sadly, over 40% of people in aged care don't have anyone to visit them at all. You can make a difference by visiting your new friend once a fortnight - all you have to do is be a mate!

Volunteer requirements are -

• To be aged over 18 years
• The passing of the National Criminal History Check (which we perform and pay for - you won't need to supply this!)
• A flu vaccination during flu season (typically April to November), with evidence available to present to the aged care home &
• The availability to visit your new friend once a fortnight for the next twelve months. Of course, we understand holidays/study/work comes up, and that's totally fine - the regularity of your visits will also assist your resident to feel a sense of connection and to help grow your friendship even further.

This care facility has passionate and supportive staff who will assist you to make sure your volunteer journey is a successful and enjoyable experience. All volunteer visits will take place at the care facility and you will not be asked to transport your friend outside the facility grounds.

This volunteer role is not suitable for those looking to gain experience within the health sector in regards to job placement/meeting study requirements. As this role offers no direct clinical exposure, it does not qualify as work or practical experience. It is essential for this volunteer role that you have experience in communicating with someone with the elderly/be comfortable in doing so, as we too often find that residents with reduced cognition need these social visits the most.

We’re a small not for profit aiming to do big things! It’s our goal to try to eliminate the elderly feeling secluded whilst in residential care. To do this, we connect volunteers with the elderly so they can develop long lasting, meaningful friendships. We'd love to have you join our team if this is the kind of role you are looking for within the community!