Volunteers, it’s good to be back

After two years of distance and isolation, leading Aged Care provider BlueCross is thrilled to have volunteers return to residences, adding valuable connection and experiences for residents. BlueCross Darnlee Toorak volunteer, Christine Heffernan, is one volunteer who runs a reading and poetry session each Tuesday with a group of literarian residents.

Christine sat down and answered a few questions to better understand just how good volunteering can be.

What made you decide to become a volunteer?

I was retiring and I had more time on my hands. I wanted to do something that would give back to the community.

I had already been going to Darnlee for four years visiting my old neighbour. I thought if there was a job I could do at Darnlee then that would be ideal, so I offered to help with their flower delivery and- it went from there.

What activities do you undertake in your volunteer duties?

One of the staff onsite was keen to reinstate the poetry group for the residents. I was asked to host the poetry group each week. I’m not a teacher but I thought I would give it a go, because I was asked to do it and I am glad I did because I am loving it.

I alternate from reading to poetry each week with a regular group of residents.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering?

I enjoy spending time with older people, it’s a good fit for me and I am learning a lot about poetry as well as making friends with these lovely older people. Each week I plan the poems and books around themes.  I spend a lot of time researching how to present it and maximise participation and engagement.

After the first session I realised that this was a group not to be underestimated. I knew I had to keep raising the bar as there are some sharp residents in our crew.

One day after listening to a poet reciting his poems, I asked the group who could recite a poem off the top of their heads and almost half the group were keen to do so. Then I tried to recite a poem ‘The Quality of Mercy’ from The Merchant of Venice and I couldn’t finish it, and then Ina finished it for me – I thought she wasn’t listening, but she finished it.

Then I tried to recall the Charge of the Light Brigade, by Tennyson and another resident Ken finished the poem when I got stuck.

Another session we were listening to a reading of Trent Dalton’s Love Stories.  We listened to a few of the chapters and then I asked ‘who would have the courage to chat to a stranger about their love story’.  Ron said he would talk about his grandchildren, then he broke out into song and half the group joined him in song, another magic moment.

You never know what each day will bring.

What advice would you give people thinking about volunteering?

I have found it demanding but rewarding and the rewards definitely outweigh the demands.

I would tell people to give it strong consideration as its most likely that you will feel the rewards too and an increased sense of purpose.

I wanted to do it to make a positive contribution.  It wasn’t about filling in time, I wanted to add value to the community.

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