Lockdown Camaraderie from Younger Veterans at Vasey RSL Care

Back in August, Vasey RSL Care activated their Outbreak Emergency Plans, and staff were required to take on a range of additional tasks. During this time, Vasey RSL Care partnered with Ironside Recruitment, a specialist organisation that places veterans. Three veterans and one veteran’s partner were bought on board to provide extra support for residents at Ivanhoe and Frankston South.

At Ivanhoe, Will and Chad assisted staff and residents, and at Callum and Margaret helped out at Frankston South.

During the COVID-19 outbreaks, residents could only leave their rooms for a brief time for a walk outdoors while their room was cleaned.

The four Veteran Support Assistants provided social and emotional support, a listening ear and someone to chat to; and they provided practical support to help residents go for a walk or take other exercise; and they provided a whole range of help specific to residents – locating knitting patterns online, technical assistance for Zoom visits and understanding the features of their mobile phones, and during mobile happy hour, they made excellent waiters!

“The four Veteran Support Assistants showed great empathy and camaraderie to residents,” says CEO, Janna Voloshin.

“Their support was invaluable to our residents and staff – we really appreciated having them with us.”

In honour of Remembrance Day, Ironside Recruitment CEO, Glen Ferrarotto purchased poppy pins to support the RSL Victoria Poppy Appeal and the Veteran Support Assistants returned to Ivanhoe and Frankston South to present them to residents and enjoy a catch-up over a cup of tea.

Find out more about Vasey RSL Care.