Loneliness and isolation can make a real and negative impact on our physical and mental health.  During the pandemic it has become even more important to stay connected to people and have enjoyable interactions with others, whether it be face-to-face, or via phone calls, letters, emails and FaceTime etc., when in-person contact is not possible.

Our wonderful volunteers from Inclusion Melbourne visit older people to reduce loneliness and isolation and help them build social connections through the Community Visitors Scheme. Inclusion Melbourne has now been a CVS auspice since 2014.   The Community Support CVS Coordinators organise and support volunteer visits to older people to provide friendship and companionship. Visits are available to anyone receiving government-subsidised residential aged care or Home Care Packages. The service is provided free of charge to the older person.

The Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) matches volunteer visitors to older people based on shared interests, and if requested, cultural background, gender and sexual orientation. Volunteer visitors make weekly or fortnightly contact for a chat, walk, or activity, whatever suits both parties.  CVS focuses on the needs of older people at higher risk of feeling isolated, including the following special needs groups –

• people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• people who are financially or socially disadvantaged
• people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
• veterans
• care leavers
• parents separated from their children by forced adoption or removal
• lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.

To summarise, this is how the scheme works:

The Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) funds Inclusion Melbourne (and other organisations) to:

• recruit, train and support volunteer visitors
• conduct police checks and other safety checks for volunteers prior to commencement in their role, (and on an  ongoing basis)
• match volunteers to older people receiving aged care
• support the relationships that form between the volunteers and the people they visit.

Volunteers also have rewarding experiences being a CVS Visitors as they are enriching their own lives and giving an older person something to look forward to each week!  Volunteers from all backgrounds are welcome to apply with Inclusion Melbourne, as long as they are over 18 years of age.

Are you interested in volunteering?

Please click on the link below, view our presentation and complete the on-line form
https://inclusionmelbourne.org.au/get-involved/volunteers/

Are you considering referring an older person to this service?

Please click on the link below for further information:
https://inclusionmelbourne.org.au/services/community-visitor-scheme/