Volunteers lend an ear to brighten someone’s day

Sharing a story or playing a board game with a resident in an aged care home can be the sunshine in their day.

Bunbury woman Marian Aarts has volunteered at St John of God Hospital Bunbury and Bethanie Fields Eaton for eight years and said it gave her a sense of purpose.

The Community Visitors Scheme is a Federal Government initiative which funds volunteers to visit residents in aged care homes who have been identified as being lonely or socially isolated.

The visitors program is seeking more volunteers who can dedicate a couple of hours a week and provide companionship to residents across the Bunbury region.

Mrs Aarts said volunteering kept her connected.

“We also need the companionship as well,” she said.

“I get out as much as I put in and it is a privilege to be with the residents.”

St John of God Hospital Bunbury volunteer services coordinator Jenni Brown matches community visitors to residents.

She said it was important to find a common interest between the volunteers and the residents because it helped develop a strong relationship.

“We take into account their interests and find they develop friendships with each other,” Ms Brown said.

“It gives them something to look forward to.

“We would really love some male volunteers, as they could relate to a lot of residents.”

For more information email Jenni.Brown@sjog.org.au or call 9722 1694.