FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Who can become a CVS volunteer?
How do I become a Community Visitor Scheme (CVS) volunteer?
What skills/qualities do I need?
Where do the CVS volunteers work?
Will I receive training?
How much time is a CVS volunteer required to volunteer and are the times flexible?
How much time do I need to commit?
What CVS Volunteers agree to?
What DON'T CVS volunteers do?
I am a full time mum can I still volunteer?
Do I need training or experience?
I work fulltime can I still volunteer?
How much will it cost?
How do I apply?
If I don't meet the criteria, but still want to volunteer somewhere, what can I do?

Who can become a CVS volunteer?

We have a need for many different types of people, including people from culturally diverse backgrounds and languages. Many male residents may prefer a male visitor.

How do I become a Community Visitor Scheme (CVS) volunteer?

In order to become a CVS volunteer you will need to meet the following basic criteria;

CVS volunteers must:

be 16 years of age or over
be able to make a fortnightly visits
be able to commit to volunteering for at least 1 year
undergo a Police Check (and sign a Statuary Declaration if appropriate refer to CVS Process
have a personal interview with a Community Visitors Scheme coordinator
have 2 referee checks
have empathy for the elderly and enjoy their company
have good communication skills, be flexible and have patience

For further information please visit CVS Process

What skills/qualities do I need?

Skills/qualities CVS volunteers need:

commitment to building and sustaining a friendship with an older person over an extended period of time
people who have a genuine empathy, understanding and who respect the elderly
reliable yet flexible
good listening and communication skills
good sense of humor
an ability to work independently

Where do the CVS volunteers work?

CVS volunteers work in government funded Aged Care Homes.

Will I receive training?

Yes. CVS coordinators support and appreciate their volunteers. Training, workshops, support group meetings and newsletters are provided. Support is only a telephone call away, or you could arrange to meet for a chat. We encourage CVS volunteers to attend our Induction training to help them with their valuable work in the Aged Care Homes and it also gives volunteers the opportunity to meet other volunteers.

How much time is a CVS volunteer required to volunteer and are the times flexible?

CVS volunteers are required to make one visit each fortnight to their resident (friend), but are encouraged to make their visits more frequent if they wish. The amount of time spent with their resident/friend is secondary in relation to the regularity of their visits. The times of visits are flexible. Visit times are discussed with all parties' involved; resident, CVS volunteer and Aged Care Home staff and a suitable visiting time for all parties concerned is arranged.

How much time do I need to commit?

The elderly have often experienced an enormous amount of loss throughout their lives due to this it is imperative that CVS volunteers are able to commit to at least a 12 month commitment to the program. If you are unable to visit due to ill health or holidays some alternatives are to send a card, make a telephone call or write or email a letter to the resident

What do CVS Volunteers agree to?

CVS volunteers agree to the following:

Visit a designated resident on a regular basis (at least once a fortnight) for the purposes of friendship and companionship.
Provide a record of the dates of visits to their CVS coordinator.
Respect the rights of residents including confidentiality, privacy and dignity.
Exercise a duty of care at all times. Community Visitors duty of care is using commonsense and exercising reasonable caution in any activities undertaken with the resident.
Inform the coordinator if they are experiencing any difficulties with visiting.
Notify the coordinator of any accident or incident that occurs whilst they are visiting.
Notify the coordinator if they intend to cease involvement on a temporary or permanent basis.
Inform the coordinator if they wish to stop visiting a particular resident.

What DON'T CVS volunteers do?

CVS Volunteers DO NOT DO the following:

Monitor standards provided at an aged care home.
Be involved in investigating or following up complaints.
Displace relationships between the resident and their family, staff or other relationships.
Have access to residents' care or personal records or become involved in the financial affairs of the resident.
Provide nursing or personal care to the resident.
Interfere with or have any involvement in the day-to-day running of the aged care home.
Replace nursing, activities or therapy staff in aged care homes.
Visit other residents without the approval of the Community Visitors Scheme coordinator.
Act as an activity volunteer in aged care homes.

I am a full time mum can I still volunteer?

Yes. Mothers with young children or babies are most welcome; the elderly can really enjoy seeing young children.

Do I need training or experience?

No. Our CVS volunteers are diverse; some have had experience with the elderly while others have had none. We value your unique life experiences that you will bring to your volunteer work.

I work fulltime can I still volunteer?

Yes. CVS volunteers come from a diverse working background, some work part-time and some full-time. The benefits of the CVS is that visiting your resident can fit in with your schedule as well as the resident's (friend's) schedule and a mutual day and time is arranged between both parties.

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