We coordinate a home visitor service for isolated older people or those living with a disability, within the Inner West LGA.
The Good Neighbour Program links home visiting volunteers with isolated older people living within the Inner West LGA. Through regular fortnightly visits, volunteers provide company and encouragement, friendship and interest.
The volunteer’s role can involve a wide range of things depending on the client’s needs, mobility and interests. It can simply be companionship over a cup of tea and a chat, the exchange of stories and experiences, shared activities or occasional outings.
We also find that the whole area of technology opens up other opportunities for support which can be both empowering and liberating for older people. Whether it is help with mobile phones or DVD players or basic computer skills with emails and the internet, our volunteers can help establish connections with absent family and friends.
Other possibilities become clear as the relationship and trust between client and volunteer develops but the emphasis is always on shared activities which initiate communication and encouragement.
