Bellarine community support still digging deep

THE BELLARINE Community Support Register continues to assist the safety and independence of older and vulnerable residents as it has done for the last 12 years.

The group, which has 1400 registrants and 30 volunteers, is a free resource available between 9.30am and 12pm.

Those who join can decide how often they would like to be contacted by the register, with some people choosing weekly or fortnightly.

Some on the register choose not to be contacted at all, but the register provides a safe and secure place to leave their details in case of an emergency.

All volunteers are trained and must have police checks.

Jessie, 87, was her husband’s primary carer during his final years. She lost confidence when her husband passed away, which combined with acute loneliness during the COVID lockdown.

“I had always considered myself to be a confident, independent person who was able to manage pretty well,” she said.

“But nothing compared to the shock of the COVID lockdown.”

According to Jessie, basic tasks like crossing the road and withdrawing money from the ATM became anxiety inducing.

She found she constantly agonised about her children and grandchildren throughout the pandemic, which made things worse.

Jessie found the Bellarine Community Support Register provided support when she most needed it. “I never felt judged or ridiculed,” she said.

“After one particular event, I found that reassurance was the key to my calming down and it put things back into perspective,

“I was encouraged to think about other ways to get the same things done.”

The service offers a community voice to people who feel isolated or who are just looking for a chat.

They can also make make referrals to appropriate agencies, when necessary.

Volunteers are taking a break for holidays until January 11, however will be available on 0480 228 674 between 9.30am and 12pm.

Head to bellarineregister.org.au for more information.