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Volunteering is rewarding
7 December 2011
Volunteering is a rewarding and fulfilling role; just ask Vince Currey from Narooma.
The 71-year-old retiree is a volunteer bus driver for IRT. On Mondays he drives the IRT Dalmeny bus and on Wednesdays the IRT Moruya bus, and has been doing so for the past 12 years.
“I like to keep myself busy and it gets me out and around,” Vince said. “I get to meet people I wouldn’t otherwise meet.”
When volunteer bus driving, Vince takes the residents out for morning tea, to lunch or to go shopping.
Vince retired when he was 60 and thought while he was healthy enough to be volunteering he would do so. IRT is one of several organisations Vince volunteers for each week.
He said volunteering requires patience and the right attitude and encourages others to consider giving their time to an organisation which needs volunteers.
Leanne O'Neill, the IRT Lifestyle Services Manager for the Eurobodalla needs volunteers to help out at IRT Crown Gardens in Batemans Bay, IRT Moruya and IRT Dalmeny. The Communities’ Care Centre’s provide care, support and additional services to older members of their respective communities.
The sites need people with basic computer skills to provide support for seniors to access the on-site computer kiosk, community visitors to offer friendship and one-on-one social contact and volunteer assistance for special events and outings. Male volunteers are needed for Men’s Groups too.
While experience with seniors is an advantage, it is far from essential and all training is provided. All volunteers are required, at IRT’s expense, to have a criminal record check and get clearance to work with seniors. Volunteers need to be good listeners, be responsible, warm and empathetic, and have a great sense of humour. If this sounds like you, please phone Leanne O'Neill on 0400 506 084 during business hours.
For further information please contact:
Melissa Michie
Communications Coordinator
Phone: 4221 6653 or 0419 789 841
Note to Editors: Please refer to IRT as “IRT” not “Illawarra Retirement Trust” – thank you
About IRT:
IRT is one of Australia’s largest community based seniors lifestyle and care providers. It has been providing seniors lifestyle and care solutions for over 40 years. IRT manages communities in more than 30 locations across the Illawarra, South Coast of NSW, Sydney and Canberra and provides solutions to over 6000 customers.
