Councillor Don Palmer Providing Local Leadership & Working for You

Have you ever considered volunteering. Council can help find a suitable opportunity.

 

A number of volunteering opportunities are shown on Council’s Volunteer Vacancies Noticeboard.

 

Please contact the Volunteer Management Officer on 8372 5116 or  [email protected]for more information or to register your interest in any of the positions listed below. Insurance, support and out of pocket expenses are available to all registered volunteers.

 

COMMUNITY VISITORS SCHEME

The Community Visitors Scheme matches volunteers with a resident living in a local nursing home who have little contact with family and friends. This role suits people who have an interest in older people, enjoy conversation and want to bring some joy into another persons life. The expectation is that the volunteer will visit once a fortnight however more frequent visiting is allowed. This program offers a lot of flexibility as volunteers can visit on any day of the week and at a time that suits them and the resident.

Would you like to volunteer and make a difference in a person’s life?

The Community Visitors Scheme has for over 20 years provided support to older residents, through volunteer visits either weekly or fortnightly for conversation. During these one to one visits, histories are shared, friendships developed and links are made back to community.  For resident’s their wellbeing is greatly improved, they look forward to the visits and their isolation is reduced on many levels.

Are you a person who is friendly, compassionate, understanding and patient?

Do you enjoy talking with older people within our community?

Volunteers who live within the Cities of Unley and Burnside are needed to visit and have conversation, you will be trained and supported and assistance is provided in obtaining a police clearance. The volunteer role can be either weekly or fortnightly. You will be matched with a resident to have a chat and reduce the isolation and loneliness of an older person. We have ten volunteer (10) positions available to join this program where the need is enormous.

VOLUNTEER SUPPORT OF OLDER  ISOLATED RESIDENTS with Expansion of Funding

Feeling a little lonely?

Did you know there are many older people living within your community who are extremely isolated?

As men and women become older and household chores and outings become more difficult to manage. Older people may be referred for an assessment to an Aged Care Provider Organisation in order to receive some help in the home.  For a small cost assistance is provided to enable an older person to live in their own home for as long as possible.

It may be changing the bed sheets once a fortnight, or hanging out some washing, sometimes it is picking up groceries from the supermarket.  All of these chores enable an older person to live in their home for a much longer period.

What about the rest of the week?  No longer able to attend community events or visit friends because their drivers licence has been handed in.  Not able to visit long term neighbours and friends as they have either predeceased or are living in aged care homes. No longer able to walk and catch a bus.  We also have some older people, whose family members have moved interstate or overseas and due to their busy lives telephone calls are infrequent.

It can be a long lonely day with just the radio or television for company.

Within this group of residents many experience great loneliness and our aim is to provide a free service by providing volunteers to visit isolated and lonely older people in their own homes, in order to reduce that loneliness.

Eligibility for this program is that a resident must be receiving a Commonwealth funded Home Care Package. If you would like to know more please call Lexie Raven 8372 5191 or email[email protected]

GARDENING PROJECT

In this role volunteers go out in pairs to the homes of elderly residents where they attend to small gardening jobs i.e. potting plants, light pruning, sweeping paths, weeding and general tidying.  This role will suit those with an interest in being outside and assisting elderly people remain in their own homes.  The time commitment is a morning or an afternoon per week or fortnight.

HOSPITALITY

The Unley Community Centre provides a low cost 3 course meal to elderly residents on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. There are often opportunities for volunteers to assist with food preparation, waiting or washing dishes between 9.30 – 1.00pm in the circuit Meal Service.

‘STORY TREE’ PROJECT

This project aims to capture the rich and compelling stories about the people who frequent our Community Centres. The stories will become part of the cultural history, recording the impact Community Centres have on people’s lives.  This role would appeal to those who enjoy meeting new people and have a flair for writing.

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE

Suitably qualified JP’s are invited to express an interest in joining our JP roster consisting of three hour shifts.  The service operates on Monday and Wednesday 9.00 – 3.00pm, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.00 – 12.00 noon.

UNLEY MUSEUM

The Unley Museum at 80 Edmund Avenue, Unley is recruiting volunteers to undertake a variety of roles on Tuesday morning or afternoon and Wednesday morning.  Roles may include interacting with visitors, researching historical enquiries and undertaking specific historical projects based on individual skills and interests.  Registrations of interest are welcome.  More information about the Museum can be found at www.unley.sa.gov.au/museum

Urgent need:  Now recruiting for the Education Team who assist when school groups visit the Museum during the first and second Tuesday morning of each month.

TOGETHER OFFERING YOUR SKILLS (T.O.Y.S.)

T.O.Y.S. volunteers meet at Clarence Park Community Centre Shed where they work on a variety of practical projects including the repair of wooden toys, restoration of dolls furniture, building bird houses and other creative community projects. The Shed is open on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 9.00am – 12noon.

GRAFFITI REMOVAL ‘TAG TEAM’

The Graffiti ‘Tag Team’ are aiming to do themselves out of a job. Individually, they remove graffiti in their own neighbourhood at a time that suits them, using environmentally friendly products. Two more volunteers living in the Fullarton, Highgate and Myrtle Bank area are currently being sought. Before committing you are invited to meet the coordinator for a demonstration of the easy to use products.

 EASTERN REGION SRF PROGRAM

This program links residents of local Supported Residential Facilities (SRF) with leisure and social activities in their community. Staff and volunteers support residents in getting involved in sewing groups, cooking sessions, art activities, walking groups, social outings and computer courses. There is scope for more volunteers to join the program on week-days and also Saturday.

SOCIAL TRANSPORT

A volunteer program providing social support through one-on-one transport assistance foreligible residents who are frail aged to attend medical related appointments and social activities within the City ofUnley.

The Social Transport Program assists eligible residents to attend primarily medical related appointments and some social activities within Council, as a means of maintaining their independence to remain living in their own homes for as long as possible.

A group of approximately 20 volunteer drivers, who use their own vehicles and a courtesy car supplied by the Bendigo Bank to transport residents, support this door-to-door service, Monday to Friday 9 – 4pm.

The program welcomes new volunteer drivers.   Volunteer mileage expenses are reimbursed by Council.

If you are, or know of someone who would be interested in becoming a member of the program, as a client or volunteer, please contact the Coordinator, Social Transport Program, telephone 8372 5405.

CHILDREN’S SERVICES

Clarence Park Community Centre offers sessional childcare on Tuesday to Friday from 9.00am – 1.00pm.  Paid workers manage the program and volunteers add value by assisting with setting up craft activities, assisting with snacks and assisting with day to day tasks. This role is paticularly suited to people who are studying or have a background in the field of childcare or education.