Frequently asked questions
What is required of me when I become a volunteer?
As a volunteer you must:
- be able to visit at least fortnightly
- preferably be aged 18 years of age or over
- committed to sustaining a friendship with the resident
- undergo a Police Check (and sign a Statuary Declaration if required)
- meet with our CVS co-ordinator at our Brunswick Office
- maintain contact with the co-ordinator
- be flexible, friendly, and adaptable to change.
What skills/qualities do I need?
As a CVS volunteer you will need:
- to have an understanding, appreciation and respect for the elderly
- to be reliable and resilient
- to have fantastic listening skills
- to be confident in visiting independently
- to demonstrate good judgement.
Will I receive support?
Yes. Our CVS co-ordinators support and appreciate their volunteers. Training and newsletters are provided. Support is only a telephone call away, or you could arrange to meet for a catch up.
How much time do I need to commit?
The elderly have often experienced an enormous amount of grief and loss. Due to this it is important that CVS volunteers are able to make a long term commitment.
Can I go away on holidays?
Yes. If you are away for more than 4 weeks you will need to advise the coordinator so they can advise the facility. If it is less then 4 weeks some alternatives are to send a card, make a telephone call or write a letter to the resident.
What do CVS Volunteers agree to?
CVS volunteers agree to the following:
- Visit a designated resident on a regular basis (at least once a fortnight) for the purposes of friendship and companionship.
- Provide a record of the dates of visits to their CVS coordinator.
- Respect the rights of residents including confidentiality, privacy and dignity.
- Exercise a duty of care at all times. Community Visitors duty of care is using commonsense and exercising reasonable caution in any activities undertaken with the resident.
- Inform the coordinator if they are experiencing any difficulties with visiting.
- Notify the coordinator of any accident or incident that occurs whilst they are visiting.
- Notify the coordinator if they intend to cease involvement on a temporary or permanent basis.
- Inform the coordinator if they wish to stop visiting a particular resident.
Are there tasks CVS Volunteers cannot do?
CVS Volunteers cannot do the following:
- Monitor standards provided at an aged care home.
- Be involved in investigating or following up complaints.
- Displace relationships between the resident and their family, staff or other relationships.
- Have access to residents' care or personal records or become involved in the financial affairs of the resident.
- Provide nursing or personal care to the resident.
- Interfere with or have any involvement in the day-to-day running of the aged care home.
- Replace nursing, activities or therapy staff in aged care homes.
- Visit other residents without the approval of the Community Visitors Scheme co-ordinator.
I work full-time, can I still volunteer?
Yes.The benefits of the CVS are that visiting your resident can fit in with your schedule as well as the resident. Weekends visits can be easily arranged.
How do I apply?
If you would like to become a Community Visitor contact the coordinator or fill in the online enquiry form and a co-ordinator will contact you.
Regions covered
We service approximately 80 nursing homes in the Metropolitan Region including northern, western and inner city suburbs.
Contact us
Please call Elaine, Pamela, or Sarah on
T: (03) 9385 3205 or
E: cvs@mcm.org.au
