Wesley’s Youngest Volunteer Brings Smiles to the Faces of Aged Care Residents

To celebrate National Volunteer Week (8-14^th May), Wesley Mission Queensland launched a photojournalism exhibition at the Brisbane Square Library with students from the Queensland College of Arts. 

The exhibition focused on the work of WMQ’s volunteers with students capturing stories of compassion and connection across the organisation, including that of little Sienna McKeirnan.  

At the tender age of seven, Sienna is WMQ’s youngest volunteer and dedicates her weekends and school holidays to spending time with residents at our St Mark’s aged care community in Chermside.

“I come here to volunteer because it’s fun and I like helping people. They have fun games that kids like and residents like. Such as bingo and balloon tennis and bowls on the table,” she says.

“I call the bingo, my favourite number to call it 14, and I play board games with the residents. We go on morning walks with the residents and we bring our dog in for visits, which the residents love.

“It’s important coming here and being a kind person.”

Residents love Sienna’s bubbly personality and smiles and the fact she helps bring their morning cup of tea.

Volunteers play an integral role at all Wesley Mission Queensland’s aged care communities and help staff to follow the internationally recognised Eden Alternative™ philosophy of care. An ongoing and evolving way of living and working that includes daily interaction with pets, natural environments and building relationships with children.

Sienna proves that you can make an impact through volunteering no matter what age you are.

To find out more about volunteering with WMQ visit www.wmq.org.au.

Find out more about Wesley Mission Queensland.