Providing friendship and companionship to older people

An initiative of the Australian Government Department of Health. CVS visits are available to anyone receiving government subsidised residential aged care or Home Care Packages.

A free service to help older people maintain social connection
A matched volunteer will aim to visit for 1 hour, once a fortnight.

Visits can be:

·         one on one or small group visits to residential aged care homes; or

·         one on one visits to people receiving home care packages.

Focusing on the needs of older people at a higher risk of being socially isolated
In Australia there are CVS groups in all states and territories, including groups that support:

·         people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

·         Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

·         lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people

·         people who live in rural or remote areas

·         people who are financially or socially disadvantaged

·         people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless

·         veterans

·         care leavers

·         parents separated from their children by forced adoption or removal.

Who are the CVS visitors?
Visitors are volunteers who join their local service provider. All visitors receive basic training and must have regular police checks. Visitors are matched to a person based on their shared interests.

Register to receive a CVS visitor
Regular visits from a community visitor can help to improve your quality of life and help you feel less socially isolated.

Volunteer as a CVS visitor
Volunteering as a community visitor can be a rewarding experience. By becoming friends with an older person, you can make a positive difference to their lives as well as your own

If you are interested in joining us, either as a volunteer, or you may have a family member or friend in need of a Visitor, please contact Nitkita Kwong on 08 8212 2988.