Home Care Volunteering

Volunteer at a local day centre for elderly clients – assist with activities, mealtimes or outings and socialise with clients to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable day.  These programs are very important in allowing elderly members valuable social interaction and to maintain a sense of community amongst clients who may otherwise feel isolated.

Duties

• To assist in providing opportunities for all members to participate in recreational and social activities.  This may involve providing one-to-one contact or assistance for those who are too frail or confused to participate in group activities.
• Support clients on social outings – chat with clients, assist at mealtimes, ensure that everyone on the outing enjoys the trip.
• Help out with setting up and tidying away activities.

Would this role suit me?

• Most volunteers volunteer on a regular weekly or fortnightly basis.
• Great opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills, especially for those with an interest in aged care.
• You’ll have the satisfaction of helping to provide a much needed service.
• Best for volunteers who are caring, patient and committed. 

Volunteer to assist adults with physical disabilities who use wheelchairs on social activities or outings.  Volunteers help wheelchairs onto / off the bus, possibly assist with pushing wheelchairs (reasonable level of physical fitness is required), and chat with those on the trips.  Outings run all over Sydney 7 days a week, but usually depart from Chatswood.  Most day trips run 9am – 5pm, and there are occasional evening trips. 

Duties

• Assist as a companion to the adults on the outing; help clients onto/off the bus, push wheelchairs and be a friendly face to help everyone enjoy the day.

Would this role suit me? 

• Flexible volunteer times / days – volunteer weekly, fortnightly, monthly or on a casual basis. 
• Fantastic way to meet new people, gain new skills and provide a service that is very much enjoyed by those who use it.
• Best for volunteers who are caring, good listeners and enjoy working as part of a team.  A reasonable level of physical fitness is necessary for this role as volunteers assist with pushing wheelchairs.

Help convert clients' gardens to low maintenance and easy care. Volunteer as part of an gardening team to maintain clients’ gardens so that they can still be enjoyed by clients and are safe to be in.  The gardening team have an essential role in helping clients remain in their homes for as long as possible.  For many people looking at a loved garden that is slowly running away from them can be the last straw.

Duties

• Help to clear paths, remove overhanging branches / vines, clear around shrubs and trees, and general maintenance at six-monthly intervals. 

Would this role suit me?

• No prior gardening experience is necessary – just a willingness to get involved as part of a team, and enjoy being outdoors.
• A reasonable level if physical fitness is necessary to be able to garden for a morning.
• A very sociable volunteer role – work as a team and socialise over a morning tea with other volunteers.
• Volunteer teams work in the mornings of Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 

Meals on Wheels is a long established service which couldn’t be run without the help of volunteers.  Volunteer drivers and assistants meet at community centres throughout the Lower North Shore to collect meals to deliver to those who are living at home but are unable to cook for themselves.  They not only get a nutritious meal, but also the benefit of a chat with a friendly volunteer who sometimes may be the only person the client speaks with all day. Volunteers also play a valuable role in passing on messages or concerns about a client to the Coordinator.

Depending on the location and the type of meal you deliver, volunteers are needed for approx. 90 mins on weekday mornings between 10:00am – 12:30pm.  Services operate throughout the Lower North Shore.

Some remuneration is available for petrol costs.

Duties

• Volunteer as either an assistant or a driver (access to own car and comprehensive car insurance needed for volunteer drivers) to deliver a meal to clients within the community.
• Be a friendly face for a quick chat with clients as you deliver their meal

Would this role suit me?

• Suits reliable volunteers who can commit to volunteering weekly or fortnightly, although there is also some availability for ad hoc drivers to cover volunteers who are sick, on holiday etc.  
• You’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you really are helping to deliver a hugely appreciated service which is crucial in allowing people to maintain their independence at home.   
• A great chance to volunteer as part of a team, and get to know other members of your community. 

Volunteer to visit and provide companionship and enhance the quality of elderly clients who are a little more isolated.  A regular friendly visitor can make all the difference to the lives of some older people in our community, and is greatly appreciated by those taking part in the program.  There are sometimes opportunities to visit clients at their homes, or the Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) pairs up volunteers with isolated clients in residential homes.  For more information on the CVS please email lnsvolunteer@willoughby.nsw.gov.au.

Duties

• Visit isolated older people in their own homes regularly, on a weekly or fortnightly basis
• Enjoy everyday tasks such as going for a walk, reading a newspaper, playing board games, completing arts & crafts etc.
• Provide opportunities for clients to enjoy and maintain their interests. 

Would this role suit me?

• Best suits volunteers who are patient, caring and reliable with good communication and listening skills.
• Opportunities weekdays, although the CVS accepts volunteers over weekends too.
• This is a great opportunity to get to know a client and make a real difference to their quality of life (and more often than not, clients also make a real difference to volunteers as well). 

Work with another volunteer to deliver clean linen and towels, and change the bedsheets for elderly clients or clients with disabilities who are living at home but are unable to manage this on their own.  All linen is professionally laundered.

Some remuneration is available for petrol costs.

Duties

• Volunteer in a team of two to change bedsheets and towels usually in 4 – 6 homes each time you volunteer.
• Chat with clients and provide a friendly chat, especially to those who may be a bit more socially isolated.

Would this role suit me?

• The linen service operates on different days in different parts of the Lower North Shore, but are generally on weekday mornings.  
• Volunteer on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis.
• Drivers need to have access to a car and comprehensive car insurance.  There are also roles to volunteer as a non-driving assistant.
• This is a deeply appreciated service, and volunteers get that real ‘feel good’ factor from being part of the linen service team. 

Provide transport for elderly and physically challenged people who cannot access public transport to meet their appointments.  Volunteers collect clients from their homes and drive them to important appointments (usually medical appointments).  Depending on the appointment & client, volunteers may be asked to also assist the client whilst they are at the appointment. This is a crucial service in helping people maintain their independence.

Some remuneration is available for petrol costs.

Duties

• Drive clients to & from important appointments where they are otherwise unable to use public transport.  Most clients are elderly and unable to drive or negotiate public transport themselves.  

Would this role suit me?

• Volunteers must have access to a reliable vehicle which is accessible for clients
• Volunteer on an ad hoc basis (weekdays only).  The average time commitment for volunteers is about 2 hours, between 8:30am – 3:30pm, with a strong preference for mornings.
• Suits volunteers who are reliable and patients, and who are looking to be part of a deeply appreciated program. 

Many elderly, frail people in our community love shopping, but need a little assistance.  Volunteer to drive an elderly client to and from the shops, and assist them with their shopping.  This is a very valuable service allowing elderly clients to maintain their independence and mobility, and allowing volunteers and clients to enjoy each other’s company.  This outing is often the highlight of their week.  You will be paired with the same client each week or fortnight, so you’ll get to know each other.

Some remuneration is available for petrol costs.

Duties

• Drive a client to / from shops.
• Whilst at the shops assist with shopping – carrying some items,  walking with client, paying at the checkout etc.
• Enjoy a friendly chat with your companion client, possibly over a coffee

Would this role suit me?

• Volunteer either fortnightly or monthly for approx. 2 hours on weekdays (exact time and day will be decided based on your availability)
• Would suit a patient volunteer who is looking to develop a friendly relationship with their client.
•  Volunteers need access to a car and comprehensive car insurance.