Local volunteers time to support aged care community
Golden Beach resident Paul is giving back to his local community getting behind the wheel of the Bolton Clarke Tantula Rise bus.
Paul got to know the team at Tantula Rise thanks to his mother Bev moving into the retirement village over a year ago.
“Bev was starting to have a bit of trouble and had a few falls so we moved her over to the co-located residential aged care for respite,” he says.
“She ended up saying that she liked it there so we told her to stay where she was and we set up her room exactly the same for her so it feels like home.
“It was a very emotional process but the village manager Kerrianne was just amazing for us with how much she helped.
“That was one of the main reasons I started volunteering - to give back to Kerrianne and help around the village.”
Paul now takes a fortnightly shift driving village residents to the local shopping centre and regular trips with the residential care home for their outings.
“We go on cup of tea and coffee runs, sightseeing, shopping and sometimes do a park and ride for those residents who can’t get around as easily, where we get a cuppa or ice cream and look at the view from the bus.”
Paul’s eagerness clearly runs in the family as he says his mum hasn’t stopped helping the team since moving into residential care.
“I’m a chef by trade and Bev used to help me do functions so she is so used to being in hospitality that she gives the chef Nikki at the home a hand.
“She will put out cutlery and try to help clean up whenever she can and it’s just great.”
When it comes to volunteering, it’s something that Paul holds close to his heart. He says it’s especially important to be involved in the caring process for family members.
“Being a volunteer is important in my life because I get to give back to the staff who have taught me what happens and what goes on in the next stages of life.
“They have taught me how to cope with my mum going into a nursing home – it’s the staff who are there beside you and really look after you.
“I think that it’s so important for us to support the people who are supporting our family.”
Become a volunteer
Make a difference in your community and to the lives of our residents.
As a volunteer you can help others while sharing your interests and skills. By providing support, fun and companionship you help to maintain important social connections in our residential aged care communities across New South Wales and Queensland.
