The CVS supports volunteers through a range of volunteering organisations to form friendships with senior Australians receiving aged care, providing company and conversation to people who may not get a lot of other visitors.  CVS is a national scheme, with visits available to anyone receiving government-subsidised residential aged care or Home Care Packages who are socially isolated or lonely.

Care recipients who do not have quality contact with friends or relatives or who experience isolation from their culture or heritage, may be referred to a CVS auspice in the local area, including through self-referral. The CVS auspice will then work with the aged care service provider to match a suitable volunteer visitor to the care recipient.

The Department of Health encourages referral to this free service as the impact of these connections on mental health and wellbeing can be truly life-changing, for both the volunteer and the senior Australian.

Further information