Visiting Volunteer

Availability

Availability: Flexible

Time involved: 1-2 hours per week

• Ongoing long-term position (minimum 12-month commitment)
• Any day of the week
• Volunteering at an aged care facility (ACF) or residential home
• Must be able to commit to at least one visit per week on a regular basis
• Commitment to participate in mandatory training and e-learning modules (approximately 1 hour per month)

Why Choose to volunteer with Red Cross?

• You can help improve lives and create a positive impact in your community.
• It is an opportunity to enhance your skills and knowledge and gain new experiences.
• You will be helping Red Cross to support older and vulnerable people across Australia through a range of volunteer-based programs.

The program

Social connection is vital for overall well-being, particularly as we age. The Red Cross Visiting Program offers friendly visits aimed at fostering meaningful interactions, uplifting conversations, and a sense of connection for older Australians living at home or in aged care facilities who may be experiencing loneliness and isolation.

Volunteers are thoughtfully matched with a participant, based on shared interests and backgrounds. Together, they engage in activities such as sharing a cup of tea, reminiscing over cherished memories, or participating in hobbies like playing cards or board games. These regular visits provide companionship, enhance social connections, and contribute positively to the well-being of older adults.

The opportunity

We are seeking for volunteers who possess strong conversational skills and the ability to relate to and empathise with a diverse range of older individuals, including those from various cultural backgrounds and life experiences.

Key Requirements And Your Commitment

• Be willing to join a nationwide team delivering social inclusion program within Aged and Community Care
• Engage in conversation and activities that are appropriate to the client.
• Respect the privacy, rights, and dignity of clients and maintain confidentiality with respect to information obtained during the delivery of service.
• Utilise appropriate digital systems and adhere to established work practices relevant to the program.
• Record timely and appropriate documentation of your interactions with clients.
• Maintain clear professional relationships and respect clear boundaries to safeguard the well-being of the client and yourself.
• Participate in mandatory learning and development to keep your knowledge, skills, and practices up-to-date in the aged and community care sector.
• Commit to upholding the principles outlined in the Aged Care Code of Conduct and any subsequent updates.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity by respecting diverse backgrounds and ensuring that all interactions are inclusive and free from discrimination.

Red Cross will ensure you have training, ongoing support and access to other opportunities within the world's largest humanitarian network.

The impact

As a Visiting Volunteer, you will brighten the life of an older person experiencing loneliness by offering them companionship and social connectedness. Through shared stories and experiences, both you and the participant you visit will gain mutual understanding and companionship.

You will be part of the Red Cross Aged and Community Care team that works to support older and vulnerable people across Australia through a range of volunteer-based programs.

Application Requirements

• All volunteers will be required to undertake a National Police Check, which will be organised through Red Cross.
• Statutory Declaration to be completed if you have been a citizen or permanent resident of a country other than Australia after turning 16 years.
• Only for ACT Visiting - Any additional checks as required by your state/territory (e.g. Working with Vulnerable People Check, Working with Children's Check, proof of COVID-19 vaccination, etc.) will be notified during your onboarding.

Further information

To find out more about this opportunity please contact the Aged and Community Care Volunteer Assistance Team on 1300 559 992 or email at agedcarevolunteers@redcross.org.au.

Thank you for considering volunteering at Red Cross. We also have great career opportunities, please visit our website https://www.redcross.org.au/careers/.

Red Cross strives to create a safe and inclusive culture with wellbeing at its centre. We embrace diversity and welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people with different lived experiences, abilities, gender, ethnicity, age, and sexual orientation. We are a child safe organisation with zero tolerance of any harm to children. Our vision is to be trusted as the leading humanitarian organisation making a genuine difference in the lives of people and communities.

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