💛 Volunteer Visitors for Coffee & Chat – Make a Meaningful Difference 💛 Aged Care I Eltham, Vic

If you’ve been looking for a way to truly make a difference in your community, this is it. Join Our Coffee & Chat Program: Make a Difference in the Lives of Elderly Residents Brighten someone's day and make a meaningful contribution to their quality of life!  Our Coffee & Chat Program is a 1:1 personal visit which helps increase connectedness and happiness among aged care residents. We are looking for special someone who puts compassion, connection and caring for other people at the heart of everything they do.

For you, it’s an hour, for them, it’s connection, it’s dignity, it’s belonging, it’s something to look forward to, and sometimes — it’s everything!

Many elderly residents are looking forward to connecting with a volunteer and building a meaningful friendship. Here are just a few of the wonderful people who would love to welcome a new friendly face into their week:

* 'Sam' is a friendly gentleman who uses a wheelchair and enjoys reading, crosswords, and puzzles. He'd love a volunteer to share a relaxed chat, work on a puzzle together, or simply enjoy each other's company.

* 'Rick' is a friendly gentleman who enjoys watching television and talking about sports, birds, and the history of firearms. He benefits from clear communication and a little extra patience during conversations due to some hearing and memory changes. Rick would enjoy a volunteer who is happy to sit, chat, and share quality time together.

* 'Lily' is a warm and gentle lady with a spiritual nature who enjoys meaningful conversations. Living with Parkinson's, she experiences some balance difficulties and enjoys sitting and chatting. Lily would love to be matched with a friendly female volunteer who enjoys building a genuine friendship through regular visits.

We are seeking reliable volunteers to commit to a minimum of 20 visits per year over 12 months. Consistency is what builds trust, connection, and genuine friendship. This is not just volunteering - it’s becoming someone’s person.

You’ll be thoughtfully matched 1:1 with a resident based on shared interests, background, or personality. Visits might include: • Enjoying conversation and reminiscing • Sharing hobbies or music • Reading together • Gentle walks or sitting outdoors • Celebrating special occasions • Simply being present No clinical care. No heavy lifting. Just human connection.

We welcome people from all backgrounds who are: ✔ Compassionate and patient ✔ Reliable and able to commit for 12 months ✔ Able to visit regularly (minimum 20 visits per year) ✔ Comfortable building friendships with older people Students, retirees, professionals, community members — everyone is encouraged to apply.

Why Volunteer? Many elderly Australians in aged care homes face loneliness and social isolation. By volunteering just one hour a fortnight, you can make a significant difference in their lives. You'll be matched one-on-one with a resident who could greatly benefit from your friendship. Studies show that loneliness can be as detrimental to health as smoking, and sadly, over 40% of people in aged care lack regular visitors. Your presence can help bridge this gap.

Why Volunteer with Us? ✨ Make a profound difference in someone’s life ✨ Flexible visiting times to suit your schedule ✨ Full support and orientation provided ✨ Gain experience in aged care and community services ✨ Build meaningful, intergenerational friendships Many of our volunteers say they receive far more than they give.

Apply now and help us ensure no resident feels alone. We would love to welcome you.

Program Details:

• Dedication: Our special volunteers are people who would like to visit their new friend at least 20 times or more over a twelve-month period (about one visit every two to three weeks or more).
• Requirements: Must be over 18 years old, pass a NDIS or National Criminal History Check (provided and paid for by us) and ideally be available to visit consistently and ongoing.

Ideal Volunteers:

• Exhibit care and compassion for the elderly
• Have excellent communication skills
• Are committed and punctual

What You’ll Gain:

• The chance to form long-lasting, meaningful friendships
• Be part of a friendly team with a strong community spirit
• Experience the joy of enriching the lives of others

Equal Opportunity At St Vincent’s we value inclusivity and diversity and acknowledge the importance of creating an environment that is welcoming, safe, fair and impartial and invite people from all backgrounds to join our caring family.