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| Who is a Volunteer? | | Volunteers come from all walks of life and backgrounds. They bring with them a great deal of life experience and special skills and qualities. They may be members of the local community, church groups, schools, pet therapy groups, entertainment groups, ethnic groups, indigenous communities and corporate bodies. No formal qualifications are required for most of the volunteer positions, just a warm and willing heart, a cheerful nature and a few hours of your time. | | Who do volunteers help? | As a volunteer, you have the time to listen in an unhurried way and offer companionship to the lonely, bored and those experiencing feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. You can also assist the Residents to tell their life story.
Sometimes Residents feel more comfortable talking to someone who is not emotionally involved, such as family and friends. In some cases the Resident no longer has family or does not have family close by who can visit. As a volunteer, you can make a significant difference to the quality of life of our Residents. |  | | "My volunteer has made a world of difference to me!" |
| | What do volunteers do? | The volunteer role is to strengthen the ability of the Resident and sometimes their family, to cope with life and to help them live as fully and richly as possible. Volunteers at the Home offer: - Compassion
- Companionship
- Respect
- Empathy
- Emotional support
- Practical help
Some examples of what volunteers do: - Listening and "being there" for the Resident
- Reading and helping with letter writing
- Helping Residents with their recreation and hobby activities
- Assisting staff with activities
- Accompanying Residents on outings
- Hand and nail care
Some examples of what volunteers DON'T do: - Provide nursing care
- Provide intimate personal care
- Lift or transfer the Resident
- Administer medication
- Feed Residents
| | How Do Volunteers Get Started? | Volunteers are recruited and selected for The Good Shepherd Home and undertake training here. Training includes communication and listening skills, loss, grief, transition and change, understanding dementia, spirituality, occupational health and safety, rights and responsibilities as well as policies of The Good Shepherd Home.
To find out about our volunteer opportunities, please call our Manager of Volunteer Services on 07 4772 9936 or administration on 07 4772 9900. For more information simply send us an email. |
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