News

Hunt for penpals or ‘zoom’ visitors

CAN you spare a few minutes a week to possibly make the day of a local aged care resident?

Chester Hill Neighbourhood Centre (CHNC) offers a Community Visitor Scheme to nursing homes in the area but is in need of more volunteers.
Previously operating a face-to-face visitor service, the centre has now switched to phone chats, letters and virtual friendships via zoom to boost the connection of those in aged care to the outside world or for those that don’t have family links.
Abel Tasman Lifestyle Co ordinator Katja Jeffrey says the outside friendships make a huge difference to residents.
“We can see how powerful it is,” she said.
“We have a system where families can ring and we can set up a zoom meeting; thank God for technology as that has really been helping in the lockdown.
“One of our residents got a card from a volunteer that used to come in for a visit but obviously can’t at the moment and she was just so happy, very emotional; it was beautiful to see.”
CHNC’s Colleen Winters says English-speaking and writing volunteers are invited to register along with those who speak Vietnamese, Greek, Arabic, Mandarin, Cantonese, Nepali and Hindi.
If you are interested, contact CHNC: bankstowncvs.mh@gmail.com or 9645 3700.