Friends for Older People - Volunteers Needed

The Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) is a national program that provides companionship to socially isolated people living in Australian Government-funded aged care homes.  YWCA Brisbane works with the Department of Health and Ageing to help coordinate this scheme.  The scheme’s objective is to provide volunteer visitors to residents of aged care facilities whose quality of life would be improved by friendship and company.      

Community Visitor’s are matched up with a resident and visit them once a fortnight.  The visits can be for as little as an hour and involve card playing, chatting, listening to music or any other entertaining activity. 

All Community Visitor’s are given an induction package, which includes information about the Community Visitor’s Scheme; training courses, volunteer “thank you” functions and general YWCA information.  In conjunction with this, Community Visitors will receive regular newsletters with informative articles on the needs and issues of working with the elderly.

The Community Visitors Scheme is designed to be mutually beneficial to the visitor and the residents.  As well as the personal rewards involved in befriending a resident, the YWCA strives to ensure that the training and support offered provides opportunity for personal and professional growth.