How being a companion helped this volunteer better understand life in Australia
This year, as we celebrate the International Year of the Volunteer, we’re shining a spotlight on the people who give their time, energy and care to make a difference in their communities.
“An elderly person is like a living library. You can learn so much from their experiences, their wisdom, and even their laughter.”
When Maheshkumar Pandya first discovered the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) through SEEK Volunteer, he saw it as a way to give back to the community in Victoria. What he didn’t expect was the wealth of knowledge he'd gain and the friendships he'd make – not to mention the joy of an unexpected karaoke session.
Originally from India, Maheshkumar settled in Australia seven years ago. Since August last year, he has dedicated his weekends to visiting an 82-year-old man at an aged care facility on the Mornington Peninsula. Aside from offering companionship and practical support, he hopes volunteering can help deepen his understanding of Australian culture and community.
Why did he start volunteering?
For Maheshkumar, volunteering started with family. Back in India, his grandparents were central to his upbringing, and his parents always taught him that the most valuable thing you can give someone is your time. “Time is the only truly irreversible gift,” he says.
That idea has stayed with him, even after moving to Victoria. When Maheshkumar and his wife came to Australia, they became very close with their 82-year-old neighbour, who they call ‘Granny’. After her husband passed away, they saw first-hand how lonely life can be for senior citizens at times. Spending a little bit of time with ‘Granny’ each day made Maheshkumar realise how much of a difference connection can make.
That’s when he started wondering – if a small amount of his time could help someone in his own street, what about people in aged care who might not have that same support around them?
Volunteering felt like a natural way for him to give back to the community, while also learning and growing himself. Aged care is quite new to him culturally, as in India, elderly people usually live with their families. So, for Maheshkumar, volunteering was also an opportunity to better understand life in Australia and how he could support local people in a meaningful way.
What volunteering work does he do?
Maheshkumar volunteers as part of the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS), spending time with residents fortnightly – he currently visits an 82-year-old man. He usually visits at least once a fortnight for two hours, but often finds his visits lasting longer than expected. Sometimes, Maheshkumar admits, three or four hours go by without him realising the time.
In the beginning, it was all about getting to know each other. He spent a lot of time just listening and learning about his companion’s life, his interests, and what makes him happy. After learning about his new buddy, Maheshkumar figured out how he could make their time together more meaningful.
One of his favourite moments was when he showed his friend a few videos of himself playing the ukulele and singing, something that made the resident immediately light up. He told Maheshkumar he loved music too, and suggested a few songs for him to try. One of them was ‘From a Jack to a King’ by Ned Miller.
By the next visit, Maheshkumar had learned the song and was able to show his buddy a video of himself playing it. As soon as it started, the man began singing along. That was the moment Maheshkumar realised just how much his new friend enjoyed singing and music.
So, for their third visit, Maheshkumar took it a step further. He brought along a small speaker and a couple of microphones, and screencast songs onto the TV for a living-room karaoke session. What totally surprised Maheshkumar was that the man knew every single lyric to the song, even the background vocals. He was singing ahead of the track, completely in his element.
The pair also talk about cars, which the man worked on many years ago, and sometimes they watch videos together about new automotive technology like hybrid and electric vehicles. Maheshkumar also helps him with small things around the house – like how to screencast videos from his phone to the TV, so he can enjoy music and videos on a bigger screen.
What does he enjoy the most about volunteering?
The best part of volunteering for Maheshkumar isn’t any single activity – it’s the connection, the conversations, and the feeling that he’s building a genuine friendship.
He really enjoys listening to his companion’s stories about his life, career, and the things he has experienced – he’s always amazed at how much knowledge and perspective older people can have. He loves that together they’re creating new memories and stories together, whether it’s singing songs or just chatting about everyday things.
What is one story that has stayed with him?
One moment that has stayed with Maheshkumar is when he met his buddy’s wife during one of his visits. They looked through wedding photos together and the couple shared stories of their life — how they met, how they moved to Australia, and their time together since.
What struck Maheshkumar was how much love there still was between them. Even after so many years, they were still looking at each other the same way they had in their early photos, still enjoying each other's company. It felt like watching a scene from a movie and reminded him that even as things change over the years, true love and connection stay the same.
What has he gained from volunteering?
Maheshkumar didn't start volunteering thinking it would bring him joy – he just wanted to help. It actually surprised him how quickly he began to feel the benefits of volunteering himself. As soon as he saw others smiling, laughing and fully engaged, he felt a strong sense of satisfaction.
For Maheshkumar, volunteering has been very enriching. Spending time with someone who has faced significant life challenges has shown him an invaluable new perspective on life. The man he visits, who is recovering from a stroke, is positive, curious, and full of life. His resilience inspires Maheshkumar and his strength encourages him to view his own challenges from a different perspective.
He has also learned the importance of listening and taking his time. Genuine connections have the chance to form when you invest the time to truly understand someone. Volunteering has also enhanced his sense of belonging in Victoria and in Australia.
Does he have any advice for those who might be considering volunteering?
His advice is: just go and do it. Don’t wait. He encourages people to be honest and to approach the experience with patience and a willingness to listen. These skills are the most important ones to have as you start your volunteering journey. Everything else can be learned along the way.
Maheshkumar sees older people as living libraries, except that the knowledge they possess can’t be found in books or online. Their stories can contain valuable lessons on relationships, careers and many other aspects of life. If you're considering volunteering, he encourages you to start. You may be surprised at how much you gain from the experience.