Would you like to make a difference in your community? Do you have a spare hour each fortnight?

You might be surprised by how much a short visit could make an older person’s day. Older people have likely done a lot for the local community but unfortunately, they are often the people who are most overlooked in our communities.

About the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme Funded by the Australian Government, the main objective of ACVVS is to help reduce loneliness and isolation of older people living in our communities. A volunteer is matched to an older person and visits them fortnightly to provide companionship and friendship. Some activities you could do during your visits include:

• Playing a game
• Reading a book
• Having a chat
• Cooking
• Going for a leisurely walk
• Watching a movie

Who is eligible? ACVVS is a free service available to recipients of Australian Government subsidised residential aged care services or home care packages. This includes care recipients receiving or waitlisted for residential care or home care packages.

Who can refer? People can refer themselves; we also accept referrals from:

• Family or friends
• Health professionals
• Aged-care staff members

What are the next steps? Once we receive a referral, we will immediately start locating a suitable Volunteer Visitor based on the interests and needs of the recipient. Once we have a suitable Volunteer they will be trained, and an introduction meeting will be arranged. We want to find the best match possible, so we will keep the recipient informed as we move through the process.

Our Volunteers ACVVS Volunteer Visitors will provide regular friendship and companionship to socially isolated aged care recipients through one-on-one or group in-person visits. To ensure the best experience for all involved, Volunteer Visitors will receive training and support from our Volunteer & Engagement Coordinator throughout the program.

Getting Involved Participating in the ACVVS Program offers both the aged care recipients and volunteers a valuable opportunity to build meaningful connections and make a positive impact on our communities. We look forward to fostering these friendships and making a difference in the lives of those who need it most.

To learn more, become a volunteer, or access the ACVVS Program with Meridian, please contact us.