BCH SERVICES & PROGRAMS
BCH provides health and support services for all Bellarine communities including primary and specialist care for children, youth and adults. Some services focus on health promotion and prevention, including to keep people living well at home. Examples include:
One of the strategic directions of BCH recognises that our communities are rapidly changing and there is need to be responsive and continue to develop relevant services and programs.
For more information on volunteering with BCH contact the Volunteer Coordinator: volunteer@bch.org.au or 0436 024 718.
The Active Bellarine Walks program is coordinated by Active Geelong in partnership with the Heart Foundation. It is a program for people with chronic health conditions who could benefit from a weekly supported walk. Volunteers are there to support and encourage walk participants. These volunteers are supported by the Walks Coordinator at Active Geelong and by BCH. Currently the Bellarine walks are 9.30am on Tuesdays in Ocean Grove and 9.30am Thursdays in Point Lonsdale.
Volunteers with an interest or skills in administration can assist staff in various departments to enhance BCH service delivery. Duties vary according to area, but may include filing, shredding, data entry and management, developing training, mailouts and so on.
The Ageing Well Hub aims to assist older community members understand and access My Aged Care online. It also provides assistance with accessing other BCH services such as Home Care Packages and allied health. Further, the Hub will act as a drop-in space where community members can come and have a chat and a hot drink and engage in some craft activities while they interact with volunteers and other community members.
Volunteers will be given full training for this position. The commitment sought is one morning a week and volunteers will work in pairs.
The Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is an ongoing, eight-week outpatient exercise and education program for people recovering from heart surgery or a heart event. With support from staff, volunteers assist clients with their exercise program and do other jobs as required.
In 2022, Bellarine Community Health received funding to help transport eligible clients to exercise groups. Drivers pick people up, bring them to a BCH site for exercise class, and take them home afterwards.
This program is looking to expand over time to help people attend other appointments.
Volunteer drivers use BCH vehicles, usually a 10-12 seater van (standard licence is suitable).
Drivers are welcome to enquire about available roles.
The program helps older people who are no longer driving and are still able to go shopping independently. Volunteer bus drivers work with a staff member to pick people up from their homes, go shopping and take them home afterwards. Other outings may also be arranged. Days and locations vary.
Gardening volunteers help look after the gardens and environment at their preferred BCH site.
Interested volunteers can also assist with basic maintenance of grounds, equipment and other small jobs.
The Auxiliary coordinates and raises funds through the Opportunity Shop at Bellarine Community Health Portarlington site. Volunteers sort donated goods, manage the overall running of the Op Shop and serve customers. The Op Shop is open Thurs - Sat 10 - 2pm during school terms and Mon- Sat 10 - 2pm during school holidays. New volunteers are welcome to join this happy and productive team.
The program is a social, recreational and activities program to support people to stay connected, stay independent, keep active both physically and mentally and engage in stimulating activities and outings. The program operates in locations across the Bellarine.
Social Support volunteers work closely with staff to help develop and run a wide range of activities including craft activities, themed events and games. Volunteers may help with all aspects of the program: bus driving, serving meals and refreshments, kitchen duties and activities.
Social Support groups are run at our Point Lonsdale and Portarlington sites.
New programs are currently being developed at BCH so if you have particular skills or interests you would like to share with the community please discuss with the Volunteer Coordinator.
Skills we are seeking include (but are not limited to):
Here's what some of our BCH Volunteers have to say about volunteering:
FROM THE BCH STRATEGIC PLAN 2022 - 2025:
