Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme

What is the Aged Care
Volunteer Visitors Scheme?

The ACVVS is funded by the Australian Government. It is a wonderful program that supports volunteer visitors to provide friendship and companionship to older people, to reduce loneliness and isolation.

How the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme Works

The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) is free and available to anyone who is a permanent resident in a residential aged care facility or living in their own home and receiving or waitlisted for a home care package. We refer to those receiving a visit as “Care Recipients”.

The Australian Government funds community organisations (auspices) to:

Recruit, train and support volunteer visitors
Conduct Police Checks for volunteers
Match volunteers to older people receiving aged care
Support the relationships that form between the volunteers and people they visit

Linked CommunityServices auspices the program in Aged Care Planning Regions of the Hunter and Mid North Coast, in geographical regions from South West Rocks to Newcastle with our offices located in Port Macquarie, Taree and Port Stephens.

I would like to Volunteer

Help brighten someone’s day. Our Aged Care Volunteer Visitors reduce loneliness and bring joy to older people through regular companionship and friendly chats. No experience needed — just a kind heart and a willingness to connect. You must be 18 or older. We’ll match you with someone who shares your interests, and visits can be as simple as a walk, a chat over coffee, reading together, or enjoying cards, a puzzle or game. Just one hour a fortnight can make a big difference. Weekly visits are encouraged!

Visits are flexible and tailored to suit each person’s health, culture, and needs. Please note that some care recipients may be frail, so outings may not always be possible. Our volunteers receive full training, ongoing support, and access to learning opportunities through Linked Community Services.

Volunteer Application Form

Brochures

Since joining Linked I have made many friends along the way. I enjoy the interaction …[it] brings me a lot of joy.

Lucy Hardy - Linked Volunteer

I would like a Visitor

If you, or someone you know, could benefit from having an ACVVS Aged Care Volunteer Visitor, it is as simple as filling in the Care Recipient Profile form and emailing it to the ACVVS team at Linked.

Older people can be referred for volunteer visits by aged care service providers, family members or friends, or they can refer themselves. Information on the care recipient profile form helps us to match an ACVVS Volunteer with similar interests to maintain a social, positive and engaging connection. Details shared about the recipient is kept in the strictest confidence. If you need assistance to complete the form, please contact our team who are more than happy to help.

Referral Form

Brochures

I am an Aged Care Provider

Aged Care providers are responsible for identifying and referring eligible aged care recipients to the ACVVS. The ACVVS team works closely with Aged Care Providers to ensure the goals of the program are met, volunteers are given the access they need and care recipients connected.

Consideration must be given to volunteers in a similar manner to a friend or family member visiting to provide companionship to the recipient on a casual basis, including weekends; liaising with the ACVVS team at Linked when a recipient is unable to receive visits, e.g hospitalisation; and advising the ACVVS volunteer when their recipient passes away, preferably through the Linked ACVVS Coordinator.

Linked CommunityServices ACVVS team will contact the Aged Care Provider to meet with the carer ecipient. You will be kept up to date with the progress and once the visitor has been onboarded (interviewed, screened and completed training), they will be ready to be matched.

A Linked ACVVS team member will attend the first meeting between recipient and visitor (orientation) and keep in regular contact with the aged care provider and visitor until the friendship is well established. For more information, please contact the ACVVS team at Linked Community Services, or download a brochure using the links below.

Residential Aged Care Providers

ACVVS supports residential aged care providers to meet their requirements under the Aged Care Quality Standards for provision of person-centred care. This includes meeting the older persons daily living needs and valuing their identity, culture and diversity.

Home Care Package Providers

Volunteer visits to the Home Care Package (HCP) recipient does not impact their HCP package. The ACVVS is designed to compliment the services from the HCP provider.

Quick Links

Volunteer Application Form

Referral Form

Brochures

Enquire Now

Questions?

Speak with our friendly team

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Volunteer Visitor do?

As an Aged Care Volunteer Visitor, you support older people to strengthen social wellbeing through ongoing companionship and communication, to ensure they feel socially connected to their community and have a sense of purpose and belonging.

Volunteer Visitors are carefully matched to an older person based on shared interests and hobbies, establishing a long-term friendship. Visits are one hour a fortnight as a minimum, however weekly visits are strongly encouraged.

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Who can be a Volunteer Visitor?

We welcome anyone over the age of 18 who is willing to volunteer their time to provide friendship and companionship to an older person to help improve their quality of life and reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. A key attribute is that you have an empathetic and kind heart to befriend a vulnerable elderly person.

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How can I become a Volunteer Visitor and start making a difference?

Becoming an Aged Care Volunteer Visitor is a rewarding and life-changing experience. Head to the Resources section of our website to complete an expression of interest form or contact our dedicated ACVVS team today on 02 6583 8644.

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Do I need to be vaccinated to be a Volunteer Visitor?

All personnel engaged under the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme must adhere to applicable state or territory medical directions with regards to vaccinations including, but not limited to Influenza and Covid 19. Contact our ACVVS Coordinator who can give details on current government regulations for visiting within a residential aged care home or private home setting on 02 6583 8644.

How can I become a Care Recipient (elderly person) or refer a loved one?

ACVVS is free and available to anyone who is a permanent resident in Residential Aged Care Home or receiving any level Home Care Package, including those approved and waitlisted to receive either service. You can start by completing the "ACVVS Care Recipient Profile Form" on our Resources page or if you require assistance, please contact the ACVVS team by phone 6583 8644, or email us at acvvs@linked.org.au.

I don’t live in the area but my elderly loved one could really benefit from having a regular visitor. What do I do?

We are more than happy to help. We accept referrals to the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) from family and friends of potential care recipients. Just give us a call and we will connect you with the ACVVS team.

Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme

Make a Meaningful Connection

I would like to Volunteer

I would like a Visitor

I am an Aged Care Provider

What is the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme?

How the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme Works

I would like to Volunteer

I would like a Visitor

I am an Aged Care Provider

Residential Aged Care Providers

Home Care Package Providers

Quick Links

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Aged Care
Volunteer Visitors Scheme?