Community Visitors Scheme

Community Visitors Scheme:

Cultura’s Community Visitors Scheme program supports older members of our community by providing a volunteer to visit them at home, offering friendship and companionship.

It aims to reduce the feeling of isolation and loneliness for older people in the Geelong, Bellarine, Surf Coast and surrounding areas.

How does the program work?

A trained visitor comes to the older person’s home at a regular time that suits, for a minimum of one hour per fortnight. Visits could include going on short outings or walks, storytelling and conversations, conversing in your shared language other than English, craft, basic IT assistance, playing cards or board games. Whether you are a volunteer (visitor) or a recipient of our Community Visitors Scheme program, the benefits are truly rewarding.

Who is eligible?

To access our Community Visitors Scheme program, the recipient will be living at home and receiving or waitlisted for a Home Care Package.

The recipient may also….

Be of CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) background
Identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or questioning
Be at risk of, or suffering from isolation or loneliness
Be financially or socially disadvantaged

How can I access the Community Visitors Scheme?

Any eligible older person whose quality of life could be improved by the companionship of a regular community visitor can be referred to the Community Visitors Scheme program by their aged care provider or case manager, a family member or friend, or their doctor. They can also refer themselves.

How can I volunteer with the Community Visitors Scheme?

Volunteers form a crucial part of the Community Visitors Scheme program. By becoming friends with an older person, you can make a positive difference to their lives as well as your own.

All volunteers must have a Police Check (organised and paid for by Cultura), Working with Children’s Check, be COVID-19 vaccinated and partake in some online training. Volunteers will also receive ongoing supervision and support from the program coordinator.

Get Involved

To discover more about our Community Visitors Scheme,
please phone us on (03) 4210 0000 or make an enquiry by using our ‘get in
touch’ form.

Community Visitors Scheme