Aged Care Social Support Individual Program Volunteer

Do you have time to spare to help the elderly in the community? Are you friendly, compassionate and passionate about building connections with older individuals?

If you're looking for a way to make a positive difference in your community, we'd love to hear from you!

The Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre (SMRC) is a not-for-profit community-based agency providing services to migrants and refugees living in the southern region of Melbourne, including the local government areas of City of Greater Dandenong, City of Casey, Shire of Cardinia, and surrounding suburbs.

Since 1993, SMRC has supported the settlement of newly arrived refugees and provided community-based services for migrants and refugees through funded in-language social, economic, health and wellbeing programs. SMRC provides a wide range of aged care services, ensuring that older community members have access to care and support that is culturally sensitive, and in-language where required.

SMRC operates a multicultural labour hire service, which provides a culturally sensitive and in-language alternative to in-home care.

The vision of SMRC is to ensure that migrants and refugees are enabled to achieve their goals and aspirations. We exist to support and empower migrants and refugees through our delivery of programs and services that are innovative, inclusive, and impactful.

This beneficial program supports socially isolated individuals through weekly or fortnightly visits within their home by our culturally and linguistically diverse volunteers. Our friendly volunteers can also assist with transport, accompany to medical appointments, shopping and carry out activities based on shared interests such as going for walks, painting, knowledge sharing like digital literacy or reminiscing.

Volunteers must:

• Undergo an interview and referee checks.
• Undergo National Police Check, which will be processed by Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre free of charge.
• Provide a Volunteer Working with Children Check (free for volunteers).
• Provide a Volunteer NDIS Check (free for volunteers).
• Stay in regular communication with our program staff.
• Complete monthly online surveys to track your visits.

Please include a contact number with your expression of Interest.

This Program is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Health under the Commonwealth Home Support Program.

To discuss this opportunity or for further information, please contact Helen Plakidis, Coordinator People and Culture and Volunteers, Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre on 0488 038 564 or at [email protected]