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Companionship and social support

A friendly visitor makes all the difference.

Services are available in ACT, NSW, SA, TAS, VIC and WA.

Across Australia, more than 1,000 people in their 70s, 80s and 90s have been paired with a volunteer through our buddy program, the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme.

It’s been running for 30 years and is part of an umbrella of support to help older people stay well, connected and independent.

Having good social connections is essential for all aspects of your health, especially as you get older. Red Cross can support you to improve your social connections by matching you with a friendly volunteer for a regular visit.

What is the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme?

The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme is a free service where a Red Cross volunteer visits you regularly to spend time together.

You can:

  • have a cup of tea
  • have a chat and a laugh
  • read together
  • watch sport
  • play cards
  • listen to music

or do another similar activity that you both enjoy.

Is this program for you?

Red Cross volunteers visit people who:

  • live in an aged care home, or
  • live at home and receive a Home Care Package, and
  • don’t have regular contact with family or friends and would like a regular visitor – someone to talk to and spend time with.

About the service

  • You will be matched with a caring and friendly Red Cross volunteer
  • All Red Cross volunteers are vaccinated and have undergone training and police checks

The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme is an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Health. 

For enquiries relating to volunteering and helping the elderly, please visit Volunteering.

Get in touch

Please select your state or territory*

You can contact us on 02 6234 7663 or send us a message below.

You can contact us on 1800 733 276 or send us a message below.

You can contact us on 1300 440 813 or send us a message below.

You can contact us on 1300 885 698 or send us a message below.

You can contact us on the below numbers or send us a message below.
Community Visitors Scheme (Metropolitan Melbourne region): 0451 346 725
Community Visitors Scheme (Barwon South West region): 0419 151 830
TeleYarn: 0400 113 069

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For MATES, select your region*
How would you like us to contact you?*
Please include your area code if this is a landline number.
Allie and Val
“They said, ‘Would you like to meet her?’ I’d say from then on, we clicked. I went and spent Christmas with her family. It’s just lovely,” says 90-year-old Val. For two years, Red Cross volunteer Allie has been visiting Val, who lives alone in an aged care home. In between visits and outings, the pair chat on the phone almost every day – catching up on their favourite reality TV shows and sharing stories. “We’re very similar in our sense of humour and we’re quite open about things. It was a perfect match,” says Allie.

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