Join our amazing volunteer community

As a social Companion, you will be spending time individually with residents to reduce the social 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

• A good listener and a great communicator
• Commitment and reliability
• Friendly, understanding and patient nature.

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 to enrich someone else's life . Residents really appreciate the time you spend with them.
• Training and ongoing support provided
• Make new connections and friendships
• All Companion volunteers will receive site orientation, manual handling and infection control training
• 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 Social 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 activities. The 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.