PASSING THE TIME: Community visitor Margaret Wagener (right) visiting Buckland House resident Elaine Clugstan.

Scheme offers friendships for older people

Written by PETER HUNT.

MANY residents of places like Bindaree Retirement Home and Buckland House have no relatives nearby who can drop in to provide some company.

In situations like this it is up to programs like the community visitors scheme to fill the gap.

The scheme - also known as Friends for Older People - is just that, being a friend to one particular elderly person.

This is a way to make a difference in the life of a resident of an aged care facility and also to learn about local history in a personal and meaningful way.

The scheme, which has been operating for 16 years, is federally funded by the Department of Health and Ageing and administered in the Hume region by The Centre in Wangaratta.

Mansfield has five volunteers who are part of the scheme and visit at both Bindaree and Buckland.

Community visitors are screened, trained and carefully matched with a resident according to their interests, needs and preferences and volunteer their time to visit their resident at least fortnightly.

The Centre provides insurance and conducts police checks for all community visitors at no cost to the applicant.

Activities between the community visitor and their matched resident might include chatting, reading, watching TV together, joining organised activities and games or going for a short walk.

Community visitors provide a valuable link with the wider community and in many ways can revitalise the life of someone who may be alone and isolated.

An information and orientation session for volunteers who are interested in volunteering for the community visitors scheme will be held at Bindaree, Highett Street, Mansfield on Wednesday, March 24 from 10am to noon - bookings are preferred.

"We are looking for people who are good listeners and talkers," program manager, Wendy Houston, said

"The scheme is desperate for male community visitors."