Volunteer Service
The Volunteer Service provides an opportunity to become active within the community, while helping others and yourself. It ensures that the interests of the volunteers are met and that of the organization and community. The Volunteer Service actively recruits and fills the unmet needs of the community in many different areas, services, groups and events.
Volunteer Support
Through the BCA there are a number of volunteering opportunities from being members of the management committee, assistance in delivering services. Assistance in delivering services could be as simple as helping with grocery shopping for our Emergency Food Relief program or teaching individuals how to use a computer, telephone social support, community visitors, reception assistance, carers for doctors visits, or health and fitness programs.
Community Visitors Scheme –
For Aged Care Homes, One on one visits, or Group Visits
Our Services
Many residences of aged care facilities do not have the local support of family as most children and grandchildren move away from home for a number of reasons. The service aims to enrich the quality of life of residents who would feel socially isolated or lonely due to their change in living arrangements, cultural reasons or due to disability. The Community Visitors Scheme arranges community volunteers to visit selected residents on a regular, one-to-one basis. To do this we have volunteers called ‘community visitors’ who are matched to selected residents. This establishes a link between the residents of aged care homes and their local community. As a community visitor you will be required to visit your resident friend on a regular basis (at least once a fortnight). You can spend your time doing things you both enjoy such as reading, listening to music, chatting and reminiscing, playing card games or event watching TV programs. Activities that you both undertake will depend in your fitness and ability and could even include walks around the grounds of the home or to the corner store. The rewards are that sharing your interests and time with your resident friend will help both you and them feel better about themselves and enjoying life more. It gives the resident added quality of life by being a companion, confidante and friend. It is also hoped that your visits will increase the self-esteem and well-being of the resident; diminished feelings of anxiety, isolation and loneliness; a sense of connection to the community; and in increase in feelings of independence. Aged care residents come from a variety of different social and cultural backgrounds therefore; community visitors from all backgrounds are welcome. Aged care homes identify residents who would be suitable for the Scheme. Family members or others may also approach the home if they know of a resident they think would benefit from companionship. We then match the resident with a suitable community visitor, taking into account such things as shared interests, hobbies, and similarity of background, or a shared language.
Community Visitors Scheme – ‘Expansion’
In Home Service
Our Services
This is a free service for elderly people who are housebound and Socially Isolated. Recipients are over 65 years of age receiving, Home Care Packages (HCP). Many recipients in our community do not have the local support of family as most children and grandchildren move away from home for a number of reasons. The service aims to enrich the quality of life of recipients in our community, who would feel socially isolated or lonely due to their change in living arrangements, cultural reasons or due to disability. The Community Visitors can help make a positive difference in their life and can also help make them aware of events and activities that they can become involved and participate in. The Community Visitors Scheme arranges community volunteers to visit selected recipients on a regular, one-to-one basis. We match the recipient with a suitable community visitor, taking into account such things as shared interests, hobbies, and similarity of background, or a shared language.
Telephone Support
This service is provided by a dedicated group of volunteers to housebound recipients, who are in the home environment or while accessing community services. The service helps recipients to continue being independent, improve their wellbeing and social connection, reduce their social isolation. It continues to meet the recipients social support needs and enables them to remain living in the community longer.
BCA Computer Kiosk for 50s plus
Enables Burdekin Community members who are over 50, to learn how to use technology. One on one lessons are conducted on a day that suits the participant.
Experience stress-free, effective lessons, that are provided by specialized volunteer tutors, who focus on your individual needs and learning styles.
Enjoy a safe and comfortable learning environment while benefiting from the latest technology and software.
You can also effectively use and learn programs and software on your device.
Enjoy a wide range of sessions from beginning basics; such as intro’s to Computers, Internet and E-mail, to more advanced sessions, for example, Cybersecurity and Digital Imaging etc.
Learn how to video call family, research your family history, surf the internet, access My Gov, online medical appointments, online grocery shopping, emails, Facebook, Bpay
and much more that you can do online.
Please call Rita on 47833744 for more information.
Community Information Centre
The Community Information Centre is located in the main street and provides local and regional Information. The Centre also provides community and service information to local people and visitors to the community.
Fundraising
Face to Face Fundraising or on line fundraising to help us to raise funds or receive donations to provide much needed community services or to reward volunteers or to help towards organisational events and activities.
Unemployed Jobseekers
The Volunteer Service recruits Work for the Dole and New start Jobseekers, to enable them to satisfy their mutual obligation requirements and develop new skills. As well as helps fill the many needs within the Community.
Programs Community Visitors Scheme is supported by funding from: