Community Visitors Scheme
The Community Visitors’ Scheme is a national program funded by the Australian Government. The scheme aims to enrich the quality of life of people living in aged care homes who are socially isolated or lonely, and who would benefit from a friendly visitor.
There are three nursing homes in Springwood where the scheme operates. Volunteers are matched with a resident and visit them on a regular basis (usually weekly or fortnightly). Some residents only require a visitor over a short period of time, others arrange a visitor for the long term.
The visits can be flexible, to suit the needs of each volunteer and their resident. Generally, volunteers spend approximately an hour or so with their resident to have a chat or share an activity like playing cards, board games, reading aloud or just listening to their own life stories.
Volunteer visitors form rewarding friendships with nursing home residents. Springwood Neighbourhood Centre offers its volunteers support, training and reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.
We aim to match visitors to residents with common interests in facilities nearby, so that the experience enhances the sense of community for both.
Sharing your time and interests with a local nursing home resident will improve their quality of life and yours! If you are interested in being part of the scheme, please contact Anne on 4751 3033 or vhv@sncc.org.au.