What is the Wesley Mission Newcastle Community Visitors Scheme for?

• to improve the quality of life of residents in aged care facilities
• to enhance residents' social contacts
• to minimise residents' isolation from the general community.
  

What do community visitors do?

As a community visitor, you will be asked to set aside some time to visit someone in an aged care facility. Depending on you, and the person you visit, you may spend this time keeping each other company and having a talk or any one of a number of activities.

Your visits will provide an important link between the resident and the wider community.

The effort you expend as a community visitor, sharing your interests and time, could help an older person in an aged care facility to enjoy life.

The people you visit

The Wesley Mission Newcastle Community Visitors Scheme is for people living in aged care facilities who would benefit from a community visitor.

If you decide to become a community visitor you will have the support of a community organisation, which understands the scheme and will assist you to understand the needs of people living in aged care facilities.

Every effort will be made to ensure that you get as much out of becoming a companion to someone as they will get out of your visits. Your program coordinator will try to match you with someone to visit who has similar interests.

Things to keep in mind:

• volunteers will conduct visits at least two times a month
  
• timing of the visits are up to the volunteer
  
• volunteers will be over the age of 18 years old.
  

Contact:
Wesley Mission Newcastle Community Visitors Scheme
Ph. (02) 4940 8244
Location. 13 Denison Street, Newcastle West 2302

Or, if you live outside these areas, call the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre (CRCC)  on Freecall 1800 052 222 for more information about services in your area.