It’s a visit, a cuppa, a drive to the shops or an outing to the local park that often makes all the
difference in the life of an elderly Australian, combating loneliness and isolation.
The Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) is celebrating its 30th year of service in 2022 and, in a world
that is busy and stressful, often with little time for the elderly, the dedication and genuine care of
volunteers, who generously donate their time, can make such a positive difference in an older
person’s life.
The CVS is funded by the Australian Government and was designed to improve quality of life and
reduce isolation by matching an individual receiving care with a volunteer. In 2020, $10 million
was earmarked for the CVS to further support older people feeling more isolated during the Covid19 pandemic.
Loneliness in the elderly can be attributed to various reasons, including little meaningful contact
with friends or relatives, feeling isolated from their culture and heritage or mobility issues that
prevent them from taking part in social or leisure activities.
Volunteer Doug appreciates the friendships that develop from his visits and says making others
happy motivates him. “With sharing experiences and tales from days gone by, listening and
remembering are good traits for a volunteer. You need to have genuine empathy and be flexible,
understanding your customer and his or her needs.”
CVS visits are free to eligible recipients and are available to anyone receiving governmentsubsidised residential aged care or Home Care Packages.
For Liz, volunteering is about sharing memories, listening to stories and finding things in common.
Liz proudly shares that customer Maureen bakes the best macadamia and ginger shortbread
biscuits and both thoroughly enjoy their visits when they share their mutual interests in art, travel
and gardening.
To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the CVS program, a number of local CVS providers are hosting
a morning tea to thank their volunteers and create awareness of the program. Held at the Vitality
Village in Birtinya, guest will enjoy a delicious array of treats, impressive lucky door prizes donated
by organisations across the Coast and a musical performance by the Sunshine Statesmen
Barbershop Chorus. In a celebration of friendship and connection in the local community, it will be
a reminder that we can reduce loneliness and social isolation, one visit at a time.
If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer Community Visitor, please email the QLD CVS State
Representative, Kieran Mawdsley at kieran@qccn.org.au or contact your local provider of the CVS.
