Volunteer Programs

Polish Community Care Services Inc. provides volunteer programs to the elderly living in their homes, as well as nursing homes.

We run two programs: the Service System Development Program and the Polish Community Visitors Program.

What is the Service System Development?

In the Service System Development (SSD) Program, Polish Community Care Services supports three groups of Polish background Victorians: Carers Group, Senior Citizens Clubs and Volunteers. We provide all three groups with information and practical support as well as an opportunity to contribute to enhance the Polish community spirit.

During the next two years, the SSD program will support a smooth transition into the new aged care program for consumers, staff and volunteers.

Volunteers Group

The Volunteers Group actively participates in life of Polish community in Victoria. Our volunteers willingly:

• provide company to lonely or isolated community members;
• support the PCCS in transporting meals to clients in needs;
• support the PCCS in the Telelink Program by keeping in contact with isolated clients via telephone;
• support the organisation process of community events such as the Polish Seniors Day, the Senior Picnic and Christmas parties;
• provide assistance during social support groups;
• support with office/administrative tasks.

The Polish Community Care Services supports volunteers by providing informative trainings and workshops. To thank our volunteers for their enormous efforts to build the Polish community stronger , we celebrate the National Volunteer Week and the International Volunteer Day each year and organise a special Christmas party for them.

What is the Community Visitors Scheme?

The Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) is an Australian Government funded program that aims to enrich the quality of life for elderly Australian who experience loneliness and social isolation.

Any Australian senior who does not have quality contact with friends or relatives from outside their home/residential aged care home and/or who experiences isolation from their culture or heritage can become a care recipient. The candidate must be a resident of an aged care home, or be a Home Care Package recipient.

Seniors who satisfy requirements may benefit from friendly visitors who can provide regular companionship.  The program also helps seniors to feel more connected with the Polish community in Victoria.

Who can make referrals?

A referral to the Community Visitors Scheme may be made by you or by another person.

If you know someone who is living at home and whose quality of life would be enriched by friendly visits, please contact our CVS Coordinator.

If the person resides in an aged care facility – please speak to the residential home’s management team about the program or contact the PCCV office.

What is a Community Visitor?

Community visitors are volunteers who regularly visit elderly people in their homes (home care package recipients) or in aged care facilities, at least once a fortnight, to provide companionship and develop a relationship with the residents.

Activities conducted during CV visits will depend on the resident’s needs and interests. They will be enjoyable for both parties, for example: readings, listening to music, enjoying a cup of tea or taking a short walk. Depending on the health and mobility of the resident, visitors may also accompany their resident to social events.

Examples of possible activities:

• Looking at photos
• Sharing stories
• Sitting and chatting
• Sharing a hobby or activity
• Reading a newspaper, book or magazine
• Going for a walk or on an outing (coffee)
• Watching a TV show or movie
• Listening to music
• Playing cards or board games

Befriending an elderly person is very rewarding. It gives the volunteer a sense of purpose, accomplishment and inner happiness.

A volunteer does not need special qualifications, only compassion and an understanding of the client’s situation. All that is needed is sheer passion and pleasure in regularly visiting elderly people with the same background and being able to speak their native language.

Volunteers can participate in the CVS Program and Friendly Visiting Program in the following ways:

CVS:

1. Visiting two or more people in a group at an Aged Care facility.

Friendly Visiting Program:

1. Visiting a person in their own home
2. Providing regular Telelink conversation activity.
3. Providing emotional support and counseling for carers.

Who can be a Volunteer?

• people over the age of 18,
• people over the age of 85 are welcomed as volunteers but they cannot be covered by full volunteer insurance,
• live reasonably close to one of the designated facilities,
• have transport to get to the facility,
• able to chat and relate to older people,
• have the time to visit the residents in a residential aged care home every fortnight for about an hour or two on a consistent basis,
• willing to undergo an application and orientation process,
• willing to obtain a national Police Certificate and Statutory Declaration (if applicable) and meet the requirements regarding convictions,
• willing to attend any required training.

Is this for me?

Are you:

• Someone who wants to help others?
• Able to listen to someone else’s stories or concerns with patience and understanding?
• Someone who can spare an hour a fortnight/week and make a regular commitment to volunteering?

If YES then become our Volunteer.

What are the Benefits of participating in the Community Visitors Scheme?

The benefits are:

• friendship with an older or disabled person
• appreciation from the person visited
• appreciation from their facility
• an opportunity to give something back to the community
• an opportunity to serve the local community
• flexibility and ease of visiting arrangements
• knowing that one hour of contact means so much to the person and to the visitor
• opportunities to meet others who are also visiting
• getting feedback from other visitors.

Volunteers will receive reimbursement and adequate training in line with Australian Government standards.

How to become a Volunteer in our organisation?

Everyone at the age 18 and above can become a Volunteer. If you want to become a volunteer in our organisation or know of a person who would like to become a volunteer, please contact our office on (03) 9569 4020 and ask for the coordinators of the programs:

Sr. Elżbieta Cieślarczyk MChR – Community Visitors Scheme Coordinator
Polish Community Council of Victoria Inc.
Mobile: 0424 694 020
Email: elzbieta.cieslarczyk@pccv.org.au

Aleksandra Waryszewska – SSD Coordinator / Policy, Quality & Safety Manager
Polish Community Care Services Inc. “Polcare”
Mobile: 0452 668 101
Email: aleksandra.waryszewska@pccv.org.au