What a CVS volunteer does

What does a community visitor do?

A CVS volunteer...

• shares stories
• reads or listens to a book
• shares a hobby, interest or activity
• has a cuppa and chat
• takes a walk or goes on an outing
• is happy to watch a TV show with someone
• brings a family pet or children to visit

Who can become a CVS volunteer?

If you have the following skills or qualities we would love to hear from you:

• a commitment to building and sustaining a friendship with an older isolated person over an extended period of time
• genuine empathy, understanding and enjoyment of older people
• effective communication and listening skills
• reliable and flexible
• able to commit to visits once a fortnight, for at least 12 months

We need both people who can speak English fluently and volunteers whose first language is not English and be willing to be matched to a person who shares their first language and cultural background.

We also need people who are willing to be matched to people who will enjoy companionship but not necessarily conversation. For example, enjoy a walk together, listen to music, a board game or reading.

The Community Visitors Scheme is a great opportunity to volunteer together with a family member or friend and visit a group of residents in an Aged Care Home.

How do we support our volunteers?

Our volunteers are the backbone of this program. We value our volunteers and provide induction training and ongoing support, information and opportunities for optional training.

Induction training is delivered either online induction training or alternatively, we can provide you with a workbook.