Social isolation and loneliness are significant public health concerns in Australia, impacting both mental and physical well-being.

An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report emphasised the link between social isolation and various health problems, including mental illness, emotional distress, suicide, dementia, premature death, and unhealthy behaviours like smoking, physical inactivity, and poor sleep.

It also notes that social isolation is linked to biological effects, including high blood pressure and impaired immune function.

Loneliness has been linked to premature death, poor physical and mental health, greater psychological distress and general dissatisfaction with life.

One iconic local nonprofit charity has been helping Australians for 114 years, and has a scheme to help the lonely and isolated elderly in Lismore and the Northern Rivers. The Australian Red Cross Aged Care Visiting Program is an unknown, but equally important part of the Red Cross.

The Aged Care Visiting Program is free and helps fight loneliness and social isolation through visits to people who live in an Aged Care Facility, receive a Home Care Package, or participate in the Commonwealth Home Support Program.

The Aged Care Visiting Program aims to connect a friendly volunteer with an older person who may be feeling lonely or socially isolated to visit them on a regular and ongoing basis. Because it is staffed by volunteers, the connections that are formed are a two-way street. Both volunteers and their matched participants benefit from the connections they make.

Volunteers recognise the vital part they play in connecting isolated people back into the community. They understand how their contribution goes beyond the person to target the problem of social isolation.

As an example, one participant’s wife had passed away a couple of years ago. During his meeting with a Red Cross Support Officer, he stated that he “wanted someone to cook scones with”. This was very important to him, as this is something that he used to do with his wife, and it provides him with very fond memories of her.

Thanks to the program, he has now been matched with a volunteer, and together they’ve started baking scones — bringing joy, connection, and a meaningful way to honour those cherished memories.

Another participant lacked the confidence to go out in public. This participant was matched with a volunteer, and now they both go on outings to op shops, coffee dates and walks around town. It has been around six months since the match began, and the connection continues to benefit the participant by helping build confidence, routine, and a genuine friendship.

As you can read, the Aged Care Visiting Program provides a vital service to those who need it, changing their lives and their outlook on life.

As with any successful charity, volunteers play a substantial role in delivering different programs. The Australian Red Cross are currently recruiting volunteers in the Far North Coast of NSW who can spare an hour a week to bring light, life and laughter to an older person’s life.

The qualities or skills the Red Cross we are looking for in volunteers are:

• People who value connection, community and the gift of giving back
• People who enjoy spending time with an older person
• People who have excellent conversation skills and enjoy meeting others
• People who are reliable, confident, and able to work independently 
• People who can commit the time to be a regular visitor (at least once per fortnight) 
• People over the age of 18 who care about supporting the wellbeing of older people who are experiencing loneliness or social isolation

The Red Cross request their volunteers to commit to visiting their participants/clients at least once a week, with visits typically lasting for about an hour.

A Red Cross spokesperson said, "We also expect our volunteers to commit to our program for a minimum of 12 months, as this is essential to developing meaningful relationships with the participants. The visits can take place whenever it suits both the volunteer and their older friend: during the day, in the evening, on the weekend – it’s completely up to both of you".

Other frequently asked questions include:

How are matches made?  

Participants and volunteers are matched based on their shared interests and backgrounds, and the program format creates a gently scheduled opportunity for interaction.

What can we do together?  

From a cup of tea in the garden to watching a match at the local sports club, our visiting program brings older people and volunteers together for an exchange of fun and shared experiences. Visits can take place at home or in town, indoors or out — this program is all about choice.

What support will I have?  

All our Volunteers receive ongoing training and engagement opportunities to ensure that they are well equipped, prepared and stay actively connected. They will also be supported by our Red Cross Aged and community care visiting support officers who will provide them with ongoing support and assist with any questions or concerns they may have throughout their time as a Volunteer Visitor. As a member of the Red Cross community, our volunteers also have access to the Employee Assistance Program.

How do I get involved?  

Once you’ve completed your online application, we will conduct a short interview with you. This is more of an informal chat for us to get to know a bit about you and explain the role further. If you are successful, you will need to complete a Police Check and some online training which will prepare you for the role. Once this process is completed, we’ll get started on matching you with an older friend!

If you would like to learn more or submit an application for the Aged and Community Care Visiting program, click on this link https://globalaus251.dayforcehcm.com/CandidatePortal/en-AU/ausredcross/Site/REDCROSSVOLUNTEERSITE/Posting/View/2606.

Or call Teesh on 0415 709 920.