Volunteers have been the backbone of the residential aged care sector but since the arrival of COVID-19, they have dropped away significantly.

Peak body Volunteering Australia said in its Aged Care Census 2020, there were 11,980 volunteers in residential aged care (a decline of 49% from 2016) in November 2020.

Now the Australian Government has launched the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS), a new name for the Community Visitors Scheme, which aims to improve the quality of life of aged care residents through personal visits.

Volunteers provide friendship and companionship and hold a special place in any residential aged care centre team, especially in a Not For Profit organisation, as they assist in delivering activities to personalise the care needs for every resident.

A volunteer might also help with specialist programs for residents which offer varied experiences, both group and individual, including those residents with dementia or special needs.

The ACVVS liaises with around 140 community organisations to recruit and support volunteers to visit socially isolated older people.

If interested, click here: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/aged-care-volunteer-visitors-scheme-acvvs/volunteer