The Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) is a Government-funded program that matches a volunteer visitor with a lonely or isolated person living in an aged care facility or in their own home.

The program is designed for elderly people (over 65) who are feeling lonely or socially isolated. The person receiving the visits will be matched with a visitor who has similar interests or backgrounds. The visits are regular, either weekly or fortnightly, with the intention of developing an ongoing friendship and social connectedness.

The visits are purely social and can be spent doing activities that both parties enjoy, such as chatting, reading, hobbies, going for a walk, or watching TV. A number of our visitors have developed a genuine friendship with the person they visit.

Many people living in the community or in aged care facilities do not have regular visitors or may be socially isolated due to health and mobility issues. A friendly visit from a regular visitor can make a tremendous difference to the wellbeing of the person.

If you or a loved one are in an aged care facility or living at home but receiving a Home Care Package (or on a waiting list for one), then you may be eligible for a Community Visitor.

Some benefits of the program include:

  • Increased self-esteem and feeling of well being
  • New friendship
  • Reduced feelings of loneliness and isolation
  • Connection to the community
  • Diminished depression and anxiety

There is no cost for this service. For more information, contact the volunteer office on 8587 0296 or 8587 0322 or by email at volunteers@cbchs.org.au

If you would like to become a volunteer in the Community Visitors Scheme, please visit our Volunteers page: Find out more about volunteering