Community Visitors

What is the Community Visitor Scheme?

The Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) is a national program funded by the Australian Government.

It provides companionship to socially or culturally isolated people living in care facilities.

As well as older people living in the community who are receiving Home Care Package.

ADSi is one of many organisations who are funded by the Australian Government to auspice the program – specifically, we are funded to provide one-on-one and group visits in residential care facilities.

Aims and objectives

The CVS aims to improve quality of life for older people who have limited contact with others and as a result are at risk of isolation and loneliness.

The objectives of the CVS are to help facilitating a development of friendship and companionship between a community visitor and individual care recipient living in resident care.

Anticipated outcomes of CVS

The ultimate goal of visiting is to improve the quality of life for recipients, may include

• Increased sense of acceptance through development of a new friendship
• Increased self-esteem and general well-being
• Decreasing the sense of isolation or feeling of loneliness
• Feeling connected to the community

What do the visits involve?

Once a community visitor has been connected with a recipient, the visitor will visit recipient at least once per fortnight.

During the visit, the recipient and volunteer community visitor will be doing something that they both enjoy such as reading, listen to music, have tea and coffee, chat, playing a card or board-game or watch a favourite TV program.

The activities, visiting day and times of the visit can be negotiated between the visitor, the recipient and, if appropriate, the Aged Care Provider staff.

The length of visits may vary from one visit to the next.

The activities volunteer visitors undertake will depend on the health of the person or people they visit.

A community visitor is a friend and companion, the visits do not involve providing care and support services.

Role of Volunteer Visitors

The role of the volunteer community visitor is to visit their matched or assigned recipient on a regular (at least fortnightly) basis in order to develop friendship and companionship with the recipient. Before commencing to the program the volunteer will

• Undergo a National Criminal History Record Check prior to commencing on the program.
• Complete orientation and training
• Signed a Confidentiality Agreement and Code of Behaviours 

The community visitors will be provided with relevant information required for their role.

Volunteer visitors are not permitted to take other people to visit recipients without seeking permission from the Aged Care Provider and informing the ADSi CVS Coordinator

Confidentiality, privacy and dignity

The confidentiality, privacy and dignity of the recipient are of upmost importance.

Volunteers required to sign a privacy and confidentiality agreement prior commencing to their role.

This subject is covered in our Induction Training, and is emphasised as a crucial part of the Volunteer Community Visitor’s role.