Volunteering Central Coast won the Volunteer (Organisation) award at the Annual Australia Day Community Awards in Gosford on January 25.
Volunteering Central Coast, who have been active within the community since 1992, have delivered a Community Visitors Scheme, which relies on the commitment and dedication of almost 50 volunteers. These individuals regularly visit socially isolated people living in aged care facilities on the Central Coast. During 2015 alone, 45 volunteers have made 929 visits across 14 aged care homes, donating more than 1,393 hours of their time.
Volunteers are not paid – they make these visits simply to contribute to a stronger community, with greater human connection. Residents take part in priceless experiences as a result of these visits. From a resident with dementia, believed to have been a builder, who is taken to dig in the sand at the beach, as this is where he appears happiest; to a volunteer who takes in a valuable china tea set and homemade cakes to recreate high tea; to others who have brought in household pets, read poetry and learnt songs to play at weekly sing-alongs. The contributions these volunteers make to the lives of these residents cannot be measured. However, the award presented recognises the signifi cant impact this program has on the lives of all participating residents.
Media release, Jan 25, 2016 Gosford Council media