Community Visitors Scheme (CVS)
The Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) is a national program providing companionship to socially isolated people living in Australian government-funded aged care homes.
A community visitor is a person who sets aside time, at least once a fortnight, to visit and befriend a resident of an aged care facility. People of many cultural backgrounds are to be found in any community, including an aged care facility, and therefore community visitors from all backgrounds are welcomed.
This service aims to enhance the quality of life for residents in aged facilities, who may feel isolated and lonely due to limited family or friends, for cultural reasons, or through disability. Community volunteers can visit a resident on a regular, one-to-one basis for a chance to make a positive difference by stimulating social contact.
As part of the CVS program, The Ella Centre supports forty volunteers, who are matched with residents of aged care homes in the Inner West region of Sydney.
For The Visitor
If you have a big heart and a big smile, a willingness to listen and to share, and can commit to regular visits, then CVS is for you.
You will initially meet The Ella Centre’s CVS coordinator to discuss what is involved as well as provide your personal details and interests. Every effort is made to match a volunteer with a resident who has similar interests or hobbies, such as gardening, books, sport or TV.
Your visits are expected to be regular, although it is understood there will be times where you may not be able to visit if you are ill or on holiday. A card, letter or telephone call may be appreciated instead.
Depending on you and the resident you visit, you may spend your time together in a variety of ways, such as:
- chatting about the past week or the local news
- working on a hobby together
- going for a walk within the facility together if the resident is able
- reading a book
- giving a hand massage
- listening to music together
CVS volunteers are very much appreciated by the residents and staff of aged care facilities. Befriending an older person through this scheme can make a difference to their life – and your own!
Funding
This program is funded by the Department of Health and Ageing