About Us

Northern Rivers Community Gateway is a registered charity, providing grassroots support to marginalised and disadvantaged people in our region. We have been in the local community for nearly 50 years and have been the provider of choice for volunteers and recipients for the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) since its inception nearly 30 years ago. The program is funded by the Federal Department of Health and Aged Care and is free for older people to access as part of their My Aged Care package.

The Program

For as little as one hour per fortnight you can make a world of difference to someone's life. Our recipients come from many different backgrounds and enjoy many different activities. We carefully match you with someone in the same area with similar interests and backgrounds. The program gives you back what you put into it, and both our volunteer visitors and recipients report an increased sense of fulfilment, happiness, and community connectivity.

What do volunteer visitors do?

• Provide regular contact to a local socially isolated older person who lives in a residential aged care facility or who receives a Home Care Package enabling them to keep living at home.

• Commit at least one hour per fortnight, for at least 6 months, to providing companionship and friendship for an older person. We understand that life can change, so are flexible and responsive to your changing needs.

• Face-to-face visits are always preferred but if this is impractical, we support other communication methods.

• Visits are customised between the volunteer visitor and the older person. Depending on the preferences of both people, there may be conversation, listening to music, walks, gardening, games, theatre, or more!

What do we do for you?

• Based on your location, interests and preferences, we will match you with a suitable isolated older person.

• Our orientation, induction and insurance covers all the information and resources needed to make sure your experience as a volunteer visitor is safe, fun and rewarding.

• Our friendly ACVVS Project Officer provides you with personalised, ongoing support, tailored to your specific needs.

• We are committed to making sure you feel valued and heard, through recognition, rewards and special events.

• As a volunteer with Community Gateway, you can access ongoing training opportunities to grow your skills and experience.

Benefits of volunteering

• Volunteering can be a rewarding experience, both for the person you visit as well as yourself. Regular visits from volunteers can help to improve quality of life and help older people to feel less isolated. Your visits will bring great joy to the person you are matched with.

Important conditions

• You must be over 18 years of age

• During your orientation, you will need to undergo a National Police Check, which is conducted and paid for by us

• Before you can visit any scheme recipient, you must provide evidence of at least two COVID 19 vaccinations

What now?

Contact our ACVVS Project Officer Jessie Graham by calling 0467 937 956 or email [email protected]. Jessie can answer any questions you might have and, if you’re ready, get you visiting before you know it.