Connect with the elderly this Neighbour Day

As we gear up for Neighbour Day on March 26, Anglicare Southern Queensland personnel will spend the next few weeks on the road encouraging Queenslanders to volunteer.

The Community Visitor Scheme (CVS), an Australian Government initiative is designed to assist people who are feeling isolated in the community and in aged care homes to reconnect with their community.

Anglicare Executive Director Karen Crouch described volunteers as the backbone of the Community Visitor Program.

“While there are many different avenues for volunteering, one of the most rewarding is as a community visitor volunteer,” she said.

The theme of Neighbour Day in 2017 is ‘The Importance of Social Connection for the elderly’, which Anglicare’s Community Visitor Scheme Coordinator Sarah Konovalenko, said was particularly meaningful.

“Participation in the Community Visitor Scheme does not require a significant commitment,” she said.

“The program matches volunteer visitors to like-minded individuals living in the community or in Residential Aged Care homes.

“Volunteers visit individuals for approximately an hour each fortnight to provide companionship through social interaction, conversation and shared interests.”

Members of the public are encouraged to attend one of our informal ‘coffee and chat’ events where Anglicare staff members will be available to speak about the program.