Central Coast – The gift of giving back

Volunteering Central Coast has received additional Federal funds to enhance their delivery of the Community Visitors Scheme (CVS). CVS volunteers have made a significant impact on the wellbeing of older Australians since it commenced in 1992.

This scheme has been particularly important during the last year of COVID restrictions on aged care facilities as VCC volunteers have used all manner of ways during this time of social isolation. They have sent cards and gifts, telephoned their older friends and provided a lifeline of connection.

VCC has received additional funds to further enhance these connections using tablets or iPads to enable video calls between residents and their visitors as well as being a source of connection to the internet, mind gym apps, music and more.

Toni Trent the CVS Coordinator explains. “CVS volunteers commit to visiting their matched resident friend at least once a fortnight. Visits are spent doing something both the visitor and the resident enjoy – reading, listening to music, chatting and reminiscing, watching a favourite TV program together, or going for a walk or an outing.”

The new funds will enable these activities to expand, with new volunteers exploring the opportunities of being connected to the internet, ancestry searches, online games, or touring the world via Google Earth.

For more information on how you can get involved, visit www.volunteeringcentralcoast.org.au/community-visitors-scheme

Read more community news in the Winter edition of Hunter & Coastal Lifestyle Magazine or subscribe here.