Local neighbourhood centres are looking for volunteers to visit elderly people who are isolated in the community.
The Volunteer Home Visitors and Community Visitors Scheme runs out of Blaxland, Springwood, Lawson and Katoomba Neighbourhood Centres.
The scheme offers visits by trained and friendly volunteers to over-65s who may be isolated due to ill-health, frailty, distance or lack of family or social support networks.
The visits could include shopping trips, outings, check-up calls, shared reading or home library services, accompaniment to social groups or activities and carer respite.
“The visitor services help to establish meaningful connections that allow people to maintain active participation in their local community,” said a spokeswoman.
If you are interested in volunteering as a visitor and making a difference to an older person in your community’s life, call: Blaxland 4739 1164; Springwood 4751 3033; Lawson 4759 2592; or Katoomba 4782 1117. Ongoing training and support is provided.
The neighbourhood centres also run social inclusion groups and other community activities. These include bus trips, cards and board games groups, art and craft groups, exercise classes, reading, book and film clubs. They also offer various carer support groups.
