The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme

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The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) matches trained volunteer visitors with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Intersex, Queer, Sistergirl and Brotherboy senior clients who feel alone or isolated from their community due to health, mobility or other issues.

The service supports clients to stay connected with others through having regular contact with their visitor for conversation, social connection and/or outings. It operates alongside but not in place of other in-home care and support services that clients might receive or be looking to access.

 

Are you a senior looking to connect?​

The service is offered to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Sistergirl and Brotherboy  Seniors across the Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Townsville and Gold Coast regions who:

• Due to ageing and/or their health status, culture, mobility or other issues are isolated from their community.

• Live alone or with another (including a partner, carer, or friend).

• Live in their own home and are on a Federally funded package of aged care home care services OR live in aged residential care.

There are different types of visits to suit different people and circumstances. How the client and their visitor spend time will depend on the health and situation of the individual clients but might include reading or listening to music together, chatting, watching a favourite television program together, or going for a walk, on an outing, or to an appointment.​

 

Are you interested in volunteering?

Volunteering with the Seniors Visiting Service is a great way to support the health and wellbeing of our older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Sistergirl and Brotherboy community members by helping keep a sense of connection with others.

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All Volunteer Visitors are trained and undergo a national police check prior to matching with a client. Visitors commit to spending time with their clients on a regular basis (minimum of one hour per week or two hours fortnightly) and over a minimum period of six months. 

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Visitors also can play an important role in helping maintain a connection to the LGBTIQ+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities, such as accompanying someone to a community event such as the Brisbane Queer Film Festival or Pride Fair Day or by taking along a copy of the latest LGBTIQ+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy newspaper or brochures about LGBTIQ+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy focused healthy ageing information and services.

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How does the Visiting Service work?

The ACVVS will operate alongside but not in place of other in-home care and support services that clients might also require or have in place.

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Clients seeking a visitor will be asked to complete a registration and profile form. The Visiting Service worker will then arrange a meeting with each client to discuss their situation, to assist matching with a volunteer visitor. All visitors are trained and undergo a national police check prior to matching with a client and Visiting Service staff maintain an active role linking all parties to ensure appropriate client-visitor matches are maintained and that regular times are kept.

The Client Services Charter upholds the valuing and respect of all clients. The Visiting Service embraces diversity and is committed to maintaining discretion and privacy in its service delivery, as well as providing an understanding service that is responsive to issues affecting senior change to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Sistergirl and Brotherboy clients.

 

For more information contact the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme team at QC

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Chris Howard, Aged Care and Support Coordinator

Email: choward@qc.org.au

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Ann Matson, LGBTI Seniors Community Visiting Service Project Officer

Phone: 07 3017 1763

Email:  amatson@qc.org.au

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009734412717

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Riley Naish, Program Officer, Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme | Townsville 

Email: rnaish@qc.org.au 

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Funded by the Australian Government.