The Role:

MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE'S LIFE - become a Volunteer Companion!

• Aged Care Volunteer Visitor, plays a vital role in improving the quality of life of an older person (care recipient) through ongoing companionship and friendship, sharing life experiences to strengthen social and healthy wellbeing while supporting their independence so they feel socially connected to their community with a sense of purpose and belonging.

• No special skills required - just a kind heart and a willingness to connect. Your role is visiting a care recipient within a residential aged care home or private home in the outer areas of Newcastle NSW. Our Aged Care Planning Region covers Jesmond, Kotara, Mayfield, Mount Hutton, New Lambton, Wallsend, Waratah, Warners Bay and surrounding areas.

• A commitment to building a long term friendship with a care recipient by sharing your precious time, a minimum of one hour a fortnight with weekly visits encouraged. ACVVS volunteer visits are flexible, supportive and take into consideration the care recipients health, culture/traditions, mobility and wellbeing, with visits centered on enjoyment.

• You are carefully matched to a care recipient based on shared interests and hobbies. The shared experiences between yourself and the care recipient can be as simple as a walk in the garden, reading together, listening to music, an outing to a local café, enjoying a board game or jigsaw or participating in a small group activity within a Residential Aged Care Home.

• The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) has a dedicated team who will help with training, guidance and encouragement to support you at every stage of the recruitment, induction and orientation. The ACVVS team will continue to support and assist with regular contact in the early stages until the relationship is well established.

• Keep updated with quarterly ACVVS newsletters, attend support and training morning teas and have access to our social media pages. Volunteers are regularly invited to community and celebratory events.

• We promote a culturally safe environment and value, accept and enjoy social differences.

The Volunteer:

• We are looking for passionate, empathetic, caring and dedicated individuals to form a long term friendship with a care recipient who lives on the Mid North Coast to fill essential roles as an Aged Care Volunteer Visitor.

• Demonstrated ability to provide a person-centered approach.

• Focuses on the needs and wishes of the care recipient to support a growing and meaningful friendship.

• An effective communicator who has empathy and compassion towards elderly people and can talk clearly and slowly with a listening ear.

• Be respectful and inclusive.

• Be sympathetic on an emotional level.

About Us:

Linked Community Services provides quality services that link people to the community to promote independence and inclusion. The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) is funded by the Australian Government. The ACVVS team at Linked Community Services welcomes new volunteers and care recipients from South West Rocks to Newcastle.

For further information about becoming an Aged Care Volunteer Visitor at Linked Community Services, contact our dedicated ACVVS team today on 02 65 83 8644, visit our website or simply click the apply button below.