Yvonne Duck has found her volunteer experience rewarding.By Melissa Donchi
ST JOHN Ambulance has issued an urgent plea for volunteers in the Yarra Valley after it was revealed some aged care facilities in the area receive no visitors at all.
Wendi Addison is the Visits Coordinator for St John Ambulance and says state-governed facilities in the Lilydale and Yarra Valley region are in a state of crisis.
“They are running by the skin of their teeth,” Ms Addison described.
“These places are constantly understaffed and receive no funding or assistance.
“It is a real crisis,” she said.
According to St John Ambulance the number of residents in aged care has been steadily increasing over the past few years.
But while new homes are being built to cater for the extra demand, the number of volunteers has been slowly declining particularly in the Eastern Melbourne region.
“Volunteers play a crucial role in aged care homes providing much needed interaction and motivation preventing the onset of physical and psychological problems brought about by lack of action and motivation,” Ms Addison said.
Which is why St John Ambulance is asking for 100 more volunteers to meet with the increasing demand.
Former Upper Yarra Secondary College mentor Yvonne Duck had just separated from her husband when she saw an advert in a newspaper asking for volunteers.
“I just needed to do something that would break up the day,” Ms Duck said.
She has now been a volunteer at Beldon Lodge in Croydon North for more than 16 months and says the experience has been rewarding.
“I probably spend an hour and a half there every week to call the bingo and just chat with the residents,” Ms Duck said.
“One elderly lady, Jean, was very lonely and at Christmas I gave her a present and a card and she was so grateful she cried.
“Their appreciation of your time is just so overwhelming, I spend just an hour and a half a week but it means a lot to those who don’t have anyone else,” Ms Duck said.
St John Ambulance provides a volunteer visiting and activity program for people in aged home is seeking out another 100 volunteers to fill the void.
All that is required is a minimum of two hours a fortnight to provide the necessary communication with the resident.
Volunteers from aged 14 and onwards can work on a one-to-one basis, run a group activity or even an outing.
Full details of the commitment along with other information about the program can be obtained by ringing Wendi in 9737 1053, or writing for an information pack to St John Ambulance, Community Care Branch, 49 Wray Crescent, Mt Evelyn 3796.
