Social interaction is often the number one requirement for those seeking volunteering opportunities at Albany and Regional Volunteer Service office. And for those people, connecting with residents at Juniper Korumup Residential Aged Care Home is a fulfilling choice.

“I think especially since COVID, people have realised just how important social interaction is. We have a lot of people coming into the office not 100 percent sure of what exactly they want to do as a volunteer, but that social interaction is often the priority,” Albany and Regional Volunteer Service manager Natalie Vesey said.

“We interview people about what they want to get out of volunteering, their likes and dislikes, any skills they want to use. We can then link them with an organization with a need and vacancy.”

During June Administration Officer Chrissy Golling sent six volunteers to Korumup as companions for residents – whether simply to have a chat, play a game or take a walk with a resident.

“It’s proving to be a really popular choice at the moment. Often we have retirees coming in, sometimes they may have lost their partner in life, and they are looking for that social connection. Or its people that have lost a parent and they can’t bear the thought that some residents may not get visitors,” Chrissy said.

“The feedback we have from volunteers is that they really get something out of it – that they are able to connect with other people.”

Juniper Korumup Residential Aged Care Home in Lockyer has a fantastic team of volunteers. Many act as companions while others entertain residents playing musical instruments.

If you are interested in volunteering in Albany contact Albany and Regional Volunteer Service on 9481 3588 or contact Juniper direct for volunteering by emailing volunteering@juniper.org.au