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About CVS Volunteers
Our CVS volunteers have a commitment to developing and sustaining a friendship with an older person over an extended period of time. They demonstrate a genuine empathy and understanding of older people.
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Most elderly people enjoy conversation and our CVS volunteers enjoy listening. Our CVS volunteers are provided with information on effective communication skills. The elderly have often experienced an enormous amount of loss throughout their lives and the CVS volunteers understands the need to be reliable and yet flexible towards their new friend.
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.
Our CVS volunteers work independently building their friendship and we encourage our volunteers to seek advice when needed. CVS Co-coordinators support and appreciate their volunteers, offering over the phone telephone support, CVS Induction Training Days, Support Group Meetings and newsletters.
It is well known that Australia's population is ageing. As a result of this, more Aged Care Homes are being developed and existing Aged Care Homes are expanding to meet the needs of the community.
Isolation and loneliness will naturally increase as residents continue to fill these Aged Care Homes. Hence the need for volunteers will only become greater. Presently, we already face waiting lists of residents who are in need of a CVS volunteers.
Our CVS volunteers are all diverse; some have had experience with the elderly while others have had none.
All our CVS volunteers need to have a National Criminal History Record Check (NCHRC). The requirement of the NCHRC is one of a number of measures introduced by the Australian Government which aim at greater security and protection for older people receiving aged care services.
A NCHRC does not include information about a person’s criminal record in a country other than Australia. As such, if a person has been a citizen or a permanent resident of a country other than Australia, since turning the age of sixteen, a Statutory Declaration stating that they have never been convicted of an offence that would preclude them from being a CVS volunteer is necessary.
If you would like to help ease someone's feelings of isolation and loneliness, and have experienced and understand the magic of a friendship come and join our fantastic team of CVS volunteers. Online application and a CVS coordinator will contact you or visit Regions Covered to contact your closest CVS coordinator.
Following are some thoughts from our CVS volunteers about the inspiration and satisfaction they have found from their selfless participation in the CVS and about their new and fulfilling friendships:
“L has dementia. But what makes me happy is that she remembers my face and some talks we have had.”
“S. and I walked to the local bakery for a coffee and lamington. He enjoys getting out of the home and going for a stroll and is always happy to see me.”
Further information please contact:
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Clare Doyle |