Social connections and feeling part of the community are essential to our wellbeing, and that includes older people living in aged care homes. For many older people, the transition to an aged care home can be unsettling - the move brings a new environment, unfamiliar faces, the loss of independence, and often the inability to get out and enjoy the pleasures in life that many of us take for granted.

The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) is a government funded program for older people living in residential aged care (nursing homes). Through the generosity of community-minded volunteers just like you, we can help ease social isolation and loneliness of people living in care, and help older people maintain their important connections with the community.

We are looking for an empathetic, compassionate and kind-hearted people wanting to make a difference to the life of an older person.

For this particular role, we're specifically looking for a female volunteer living in (or willing to travel to) the Gosford area, who has a current valid drivers licence and their own comprehensively insured car that they are willing to use for fortnightly outings in the local area.

Visits/outings are purely for social reasons (no personal care duties, running errands nor appointments) and take place on a regular ongoing basis for a couple of hours a fortnight. The recipient is keen to connect with the things she misses in the community and has been unable to access on her own since moving into aged care. This includes going to the local cafe for a coffee, getting her nails done, doing a spot of window shopping. Above all, you'll be providing friendship and companionship and the opportunity to make a new friend.

Volunteer Visitors undergo a police check, reference checks and complete a short 1 hour online training program before commencing their volunteering role.

Register your interest now and an ACVVS Coordinator will get in touch to discuss the role in further detail and assess your suitability.

Please note, Volunteers must:

• be aged 18 years or older
• be able to make a minimum commitment of 12 months or longer
• be available for fortnightly visits/outings
• have a current and valid drivers licence, plus a car with comprehensive insurance

We have many aged care recipients looking for a Volunteer Visitor to help brighten their day, in all areas across the Central Coast. Some recipients requests visitors for outings, and others are very happy for a visit in person in the aged care home where they are living.

If this specific role isn't quite the right fit for you, but you are still interested in visiting an older person, please get in touch with an ACVVS Coordinator at Volunteering Central Coast to discuss the opportunities available.