Sometimes, one hour and a familiar face can make all the difference. For Lynne, one of Lutheran Care’s Adelaide metro-based volunteers for the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS), volunteering has become more than a regular visit. It is a friendship that continues long after she says goodbye.
Lynne visits two older people regularly. One has experienced a particularly difficult period, including time in hospital, rehabilitation and a nursing home. Although their visits were initially arranged for every fortnight, Lynne felt he needed more company. So she made a decision: she would visit every week instead.
For Lynne, friendship doesn’t begin and end at the front door. Throughout the week, she thinks about the people she visits, gathering news and stories to share when they meet again. She believes that companionship matters, bringing laughter into the room and giving residents something to look forward to. What began as volunteering has become a meaningful part of her life.
Lynne knows the connection works both ways. Visiting keeps her active and positive, while reminding her how fortunate she is to be able to help someone else feel connected. Having lost her husband, she believes he would be proud of what she does today.
Asked what volunteering has meant to her, Lynne’s response says it all: “Volunteering has enriched my life immeasurably.”
ACVVS is an Australian government-funded program that connects volunteers with older people who have few or no visitors, whether they live in residential aged care or in their own homes.
The commitment? Around one hour a fortnight. You don’t need special skills or grand gestures to make a difference. Sometimes, it starts with a conversation, a shared laugh or simply remembering to ask, “What happened next?”
Because being alone and feeling lonely are not the same thing. And a familiar face can help make that difference.
One day, many of us may be waiting for someone to visit us. Today, we have the opportunity to be that someone for another person.
Beyond her volunteer visits, Lynne is also actively involved in arts and community development, reflecting her ongoing commitment to bringing people together and enriching community life.
Lutheran Care has been matching friendly volunteer visitors with older people for friendship and connection as part of this program for more than 30 years. If you’re interested in finding out more about ACVVS, or you’d like to sign up as a volunteer or put yourself or a loved one forward as a visit recipient, please jump onto our Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme page.
To find out about the full breadth of volunteering opportunities at Lutheran Care, visit our Volunteer With Us page.
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