Are you interested in volunteering in home and community care?
Home and community care volunteers help people stay well and safe in their homes through providing practical support and meaningful connections. Volunteers in home and community care are involved in two key programs:
- The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), which provides essential support for older Australians (65 years or older / 50 years or older for First National people), helping them maintain independence and live safely at home, and
- The Tasmanian Home and Community Care (Tas HACC) Program, which funds community services for Tasmanians under 65 years of age or under 50 for First Nations people, and their carers to live independently at home if their capacity for independent living is at risk due to a health event, or they are living with an ongoing health conditions that requires ongoing support (and are not eligible for NDIS). The service aims to help people stay well in their own homes.
Organisations funded to provide these vital community services engage volunteers to deliver a variety of services to their clients. While volunteers in home and community care positively impact the lives of these clients, they also have the opportunity to develop new skills and networks and connect with others.
Learn more about why people volunteer in home and community care.
- Volunteering can be good for your health – many volunteers report that they are happier, healthier, more connected and feel good about the way they give to their community
- Volunteers keep their minds active – the world of volunteering opens up new skills and connections.
- Volunteering can be a pathway to employment – some volunteering roles provide training and experience relevant to the workplace e.g. food handling, mental health support, First Aid, Aged Care Quality Standards. This can help people enhance their skills and experience.
What volunteer roles are available?
A wide range of volunteering opportunities are available, and many can be adapted to suit the circumstances of the volunteer. Approximately 60 organisations provide volunteering opportunities in Tasmania in the following areas:
- Helping people with gardening
- Driving people to appointments and activities
- Delivering meals (physical and mental wellbeing check-ins)
- Providing social support and companionship
- Helping people with letter writing, telephone calls and filling in forms
- Helping people with banking and paying accounts
- Providing administrative support to the volunteer programs
What do I need to volunteer in home and community care?
You need to be a good listener, have a commitment to working with others and an interest in supporting Tasmanians to live independently in their homes.
Depending on the organisation and role, you may need to complete a National Police Check, Registration to Work with Vulnerable People or other screenings. Some training, such as First Aid, may also be required to help you feel prepared and confident in your volunteer work.
How can you get involved?
Search for volunteering roles on Volunteer Connect and apply for a role.
Why is the program important to our Tasmanian community?
Most people value being able to live in their own homes and community for as long as possible. Some people need help to stay safe at home and be a part of their local community. While help can be provided by a carer, relatives, or friends, some people may also need other services. As a volunteer you can make a real difference in someone’s life.
Funded by the Crown through the Department of Health – Tasmania.
Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.