Community Visitors Scheme volunteer support
Find a friend to connect with a Community Visitor volunteer…
Having social connections is essential for maintaining your mental and physical health, particularly as you age. The Community Visitor Scheme is an Australian government initiative that aims at reducing and/or preventing the impact of social isolation amongst older Australians. The program achieves this by matching volunteers with older Australians in the local community.
Social isolation often occurs due to:
- lack of regular contact with friends or family members;
- being from indigenous or culturally diverse background; and
- reduced mobility levels preventing participation in social activities.
We are proud to have been an auspice of the Community Visitor Scheme since 2014. Our role as an auspice is to:
- recruit, train and support volunteer friendly visitors;
- match community visitors to care recipients; and
- support community visitor and recipients relationships.
Recipients of the Community Visitors Scheme
To be eligible to receive a community visitor you need to be residing in a Commonwealth funded Aged Care Home. You can also be living in your own home and receive a Home Care Package.
The match between a community visitor and you is based on shared interest and values to help you build a friendship with your companion over time. Community visitors can support you on a one-to-one basis either at your own home or in a residential aged care facility.
The activities that you might engage in with the community visitor include:
- outings to cafes, galleries, or other places of interest;
- going for a walk;
- friendly in-home visits;
- friendly visits at your residential care facility; or
- a regular social chat on the phone.
The CVS program recently celebrated 30 years! To commemorate this milestone, a booklet has been developed. Click on the link to download and read the heart-warming stories of friendships. CVS 30 Years of Friendship
Anyone can make a referral for a Community Visitor. For more information don’t hesitate to contact the Community Support Team on 03 9509 4266
Or to make an enquiry complete the enquiry form below