Volunteers have been welcomed back into our Homes and Villages after being kept away for some time due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Christadelphian Aged Care is privileged to have more than 80 volunteers across our organisation, who contribute in a myriad of ways to enrich the lives of our residents and staff.
The pandemic has led many people to reflect on the needs of those around them, and consider how they can improve the lives of others in some small way.
The beauty of volunteering within an aged care organisation is the flexibility it offers in terms of time and activities. You can give as much or as little time as you wish, and still make a difference in the lives of our residents.
Sue Geddes volunteers at Maranatha in Kallangur once a fortnight when she drops in to visit her mum who lives there.
Sue worked for Christadelphian Aged Care as an Activities Officer down in Sydney, and after semi-retiring and moving up to Queensland to be closer to family, found she missed spending time with older people.
“I missed the interaction with the elderly. I really believe that’s my forte,” she said.
Sue’s mum liked bowls so she initially volunteered to run a game of indoor bowls with a group of residents.
She now does reminiscence sessions to keep their minds and memories active.
“I don’t think you can go wrong when you volunteer, even if you go in and sit with a resident for five minutes that still makes a difference,” she said.
“It makes me feel like I’m 20, I feel so young, I don’t have to look in a mirror to see how old I am, I feel young and energetic and it makes me feel useful and worthwhile.”
There are so many different ways to volunteer at an aged care home, and everyone is encouraged to bring their own skills and hobbies to share with others.
Every one of our Homes has a Spiritual Care Coordinator who can guide you through our volunteering program and help you find the best use of your time and skills.
Some volunteering activities include:
– scrapbooking
– reading out loud to residents
– playing a musical instrument
– making gift baskets for residents
– helping with fetes or fairs
– serving in the onsite cafes
– driving the bus for outings
– recording a resident’s life story
– one-on-one conversations
– running bingo or other games
– pet therapy
We would love to welcome more volunteers at our Homes and Villages! If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Head of Mission and Wellbeing, Jane Burns, at jburns@chomes.com.au, or give her a call on 0422 664 510.
