Join our amazing volunteer community

Purpose of Role:

You will be spending time individually with residents to reduce the social, spiritual and cultural isolation that can result from living in an aged care facility. You will be matched with a person, or people, with similar interests and/or background to your own so you can spend time enjoying each other’s company, having meaningful conversation and maybe sharing a mutually enjoyed activity.

Requirements for this Role:

This role would suit someone with the following qualities

• Good communication and listening skills
• Commitment and reliability
• Friendly, understanding and patient nature
• Active member of a Christian faith community.

The following are required for all volunteers working in aged care in Australia

• National Police clearance, to be renewed every three years
• Signed statutory declaration and confidentiality agreement.

Benefits to you

• An opportunity to make a real difference in someone’s life. Residents really appreciate the time you spend with them.
• Training and ongoing support provided

• All Companion volunteers will receive site orientation, manual handling and infection control training
• Spiritual Care Series training (ACC)
• Speak to your volunteer coordinator if you are also interested in learning more about supporting people with dementia, meaningful activities, understanding depression and mental illness or any other topics.

• Flexible hours.

What the role involves:

As a Pastoral Care Companion, you will spend quality time with individual residents, getting to know each other, maybe spending time in the garden, enjoying a cup of tea or other mutually enjoyed activity. The chaplain and volunteer coordinator will let you know a little of the person’s background, what they can do and how best to engage with them.

Some residents have restrictions to what they can eat and drink. You will be notified of these too, if relevant.

Resident Involvement: as identified by the Chaplain