Volunteer Visitors Wanted – Ballina & Lismore | Dementia Experience Required
Northern Rivers Community Gateway is seeking compassionate and reliable volunteer visitors with previous experience with dementia to provide friendship and meaningful social connection to older people living with dementia in Ballina and Lismore through the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS).
The ACVVS is an Australian Government-funded program that connects volunteer visitors with older people who may be socially isolated or at risk of social isolation.
What you'll do
You will be carefully matched one-to-one with an older person and visit approximately once a fortnight, providing regular companionship and building a consistent and meaningful social connection.
Visits are relaxed and based on the interests, preferences and abilities of the person you visit. This might include having a cuppa and a chat, listening to music, looking through photographs, reminiscing, doing a simple activity or craft, going for a short walk, or simply enjoying some friendly company.
This is a companionship role, not a personal care or clinical role. Volunteers are not expected to provide personal care, medication assistance or support-worker duties.
Who we're looking for
For these particular matches, previous experience with people living with dementia is essential. This may be through employment in aged care, health or community services, previous volunteering, or experience caring for or supporting a family member living with dementia.
We're looking for someone who is:
- Patient, calm and understanding
- A good listener and communicator
- Comfortable adapting communication to the needs of a person living with dementia
- Reliable and able to commit to regular fortnightly visits
- Respectful of each person's individual abilities, preferences and life experiences
Why volunteer with us?
Just one hour a fortnight can make a meaningful difference to an older person who may be experiencing social isolation, providing regular friendship, companionship and something to look forward to.
Volunteering through ACVVS is also an opportunity to use your existing dementia experience in a rewarding way and build a genuine one-to-one relationship with an older person in your community.
Northern Rivers Community Gateway provides ACVVS induction training, a National Police Check at no cost to you, personalised matching and ongoing support from your ACVVS Project Officer.
How to apply
Submit an expression of interest outlining your previous experience with people living with dementia. Our ACVVS Project Officer will contact you for an informal interview to discuss your experience, interests and availability.
You will then complete the required ACVVS onboarding, screening and approximately 1.5 hours of induction training before being introduced to your matched older person.
Locations: Ballina and Lismore, NSW
Commitment: Approximately one hour per fortnight
Essential requirement: Previous experience with people living with dementia