Volunteers Bring Joy to Older People

National Volunteer Week is an annual celebration to acknowledge the generous contribution of volunteers across Australia. At Anglicare NT, volunteers help others to have a better life by delivering Meals on Wheels, helping at second-hand stores and visiting older people through the Community Visitors Scheme.

The Community Visitors Scheme connects volunteers with older people who are at risk of loneliness or social isolation. Volunteer visitors bring conversation, news, fun activities and friendship to older people. Visitors may also bring a special connection through a shared language, life experience or cultural understanding. Many great friendships have been kindled over the years.

Wayne is a volunteer with the Community Visitors Scheme who would regularly visit Nicholas at an aged care home in Darwin.

“When it became clear Nicholas was a footy fan of the Tiwi and Waratah footy sides, I arranged to take him to a game when the Tiwi’s played the Waratahs,” said Wayne.

“Whilst Nicholas said he was a fan of both teams, it quickly became apparent that in this game, his heart was with the Tiwi Bombers… The outing became something of a reunion for Nicholas. Many people knew him and came and said hello to him and he also met relatives he hadn’t seen for a long time.”

Anglicare NT thanks their volunteers for selflessly giving their own time to give back to the community.

Anglicare NT supports the Community Visitors Scheme across the Northern Territory, including in Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. If you have some free time and would like to visit someone each fortnight, contact 8985 0000 for more information.