Volunteers Make a Difference in Aged Care

National Volunteer Week started on May 21 and recognises the wonderful work volunteers do in their communities.  Mary is one of those volunteers and says that volunteering makes her feel closer to her family back in Malta.

She is part of a team of volunteers who share their time and talents at Villa Maria Catholic Homes St Bernadette’s Residential Aged Care, in Sunshine. She regularly visits Maltese residents at St Bernadette’s and talks to them in their shared language and about their heritage.

“I always like people and to help them. I’ve always wanted to do something like this. It makes me happy when I see them happy. The happier they are the happier I am,” Mary said.

“I feel like I win the Tattslotto every time I come here and I look forward to it.”

Another volunteer, Dominic, is a disk jockey and once a month he unpacks his suitcases of DJ equipment at St Bernadette’s and plays their favourite hits from many different cultures.

He’s gotten to know what songs residents love and tries to make sure he caters to their many different tastes.
“They make me really proud when I see them enjoying themselves,” he said.

St Bernadette’s Lifestyle Coordinator Shantell Kemp said volunteers played an important role in supporting its residents.

“Our volunteers do many different things. They do one-on-one activities, craft, help with bingo. They also visit residents that are isolated,” she said.

“Our residents adore the volunteers. They are a beautiful bunch of people. They mix well with everybody here and they are very well loved.”

Villa Maria Catholic Homes has more than 600 volunteers who help the organisation provide a variety of lifestyle activities, support and social inclusion in aged care and disability services across Victoria.

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