The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS), funded by the Australian Government, is a volunteer program providing friendship and companionship for people who are isolated or at risk of social isolation or loneliness. Recipients can be living in an aged care facility or their own home.
Multicultural Care delivers the program in Inner West Sydney, South West Sydney, and South East Sydney.
How does it work?
Friendly, trained volunteer visitors are paired with people experiencing loneliness or isolation, based on shared interests and cultural backgrounds. The pair meet regularly, at least once a week, for a relaxed and informal one-on-one chat or group visit.
The friendship and companionship offered through the regular visits aims to enrich the wellbeing and quality of life of those who may be isolated or at risk of loneliness.
Who is the program for?
To be eligible to receive a visitor, you must be:
- A resident of an Australian Government subsidised aged care facility or,
- A person living in their own home and receiving a Home Care Package (HCP)
And,
- From the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) community
- Based in Inner West Sydney, South West Sydney, or South East Sydney
Who are volunteer visitors?
Multicultural Care’s volunteer visitors are people of all ages and from all walks of life who are committed to developing and sustaining meaningful relationships with people in their community experiencing, or at risk of, social isolation.
What’s involved?
Volunteers will undergo background checks and will need to commit to visiting their companion at least once a week. Visits should involve doing something the person and volunteer both enjoy, such as chatting, playing games, listening to music or singing.
If you, or someone you know, would like more information just call 02 9718 6199.