What does a Volunteer Visitor Do

As a volunteer visitor you will be asked to set aside 30 minutes per week to pay a friendly visit to a resident of an Australian Government subsidised aged care home, or a person in their own home who is receiving a Government funded Home Care Package.
Some older people don’t have quality contact with friends, relatives or community. The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme connects them with volunteers like yourself who can:

• Sit and chat about a wide range of interests
• Watch a favourite television program
• Work with them on a hobby
• Read to them or listen to music together
• Be a good friend who visits regularly

Who can be a Volunteer Visitor

Anyone over the age of 18 and willing to volunteer time to provide friendship or companionship to an older person is welcome.

We’re looking for volunteer visitors from all walks of life to build friendships with people who are at risk of social isolation. Social isolation can affect people from any background and you can be a part of the solution.

What skills do you need

The best skill you have will be to be yourself. You will receive training that gives you clear guidance on your role and how to conduct it appropriately. You will also have opportunities to up-skill in areas of interest. Your orientation will inform you of your rights and responsibilities as a volunteer visitor. You’ll also receive ongoing support and encouragement where you can raise any concerns or issues freely and openly. We want you to feel comfortable delivering your visiting role.

As a starting point, ask yourself if you have:

• Genuine empathy
• Good communication and listening skills
• The ability to visit independently
• A commitment to developing a strong and ongoing relationship with an older person and to the ACVVS, and
• The ability to be flexible.

You must be willing to respect confidentiality, maintain professional boundaries and work within the policies and procedures of the UnitingCare Merimbula.

Locations needing Volunteer Visitors:

There are many individuals across the Far South Coast of NSW who would enjoy regular visits.

Locations in need of volunteer visitors are:

• Bega
• Eden
• Merimbula
• Pambula
• Tura Beach

If your local area is not on this list, still get in touch with us at as often there are many more locations where we have people waiting for volunteer visitors.

For further information please contact our Coordinator by completing the fields below and we will contact you.