BELLARINE Community Health is this week celebrating the generous contribution of its many volunteers as part of National Volunteer Week.<\/p>\n
The theme this year is \u2018Making a World of Difference\u2019 and that\u2019s exactly what the BCH volunteers do in our local communities.<\/p>\n
The support of volunteers enables BCH to offer a wider range of services and programs, which really do make a world of difference to clients and people living across the Bellarine.<\/p>\n
Volunteer Mark Krueger has been working with the BCH Social Support team and memory loss groups for several years.<\/p>\n
Mr Krueger drives the bus to pick up clients and then helps in the kitchen. \u201cIt\u2019s nice to be able to help people, especially those that don\u2019t have family support,\u201d Mr Krueger said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou get people who come in for the first time and they\u2019re quiet, but by the end of the day they\u2019re laughing and smiling.\u201d<\/p>\n
BCH volunteers contribute in a range of ways; using individual skills such as gardening and administration, or help with programs, including well-known Meals on Wheels, Port Produce, Physical Wellness and Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs and Going Places, a service offered by volunteer bus drivers to help older people attend a shopping centre.<\/p>\n
BCH Volunteer Coordinator Jill Rush said there was a growing body of research showing the benefits of volunteering for the volunteer.<\/p>\n
\u201cVolunteering helps people with social connection, reducing isolation and encouraging a sense of well-being through contribution and purpose,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
BCH is planning for a new program to offer regular visits to individuals to help address social isolation.<\/p>\n
An information session is being planned. To find out more about volunteering opportunities at BCH, call Coordinator Ms Rush on 5258 0874 or 0436 024 718 or email volunteer@bch.org.au.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BELLARINE Community Health is this week celebrating the generous contribution of its many volunteers as part of National Volunteer Week. The theme this year is \u2018Making a World of Difference\u2019 and that\u2019s exactly what the BCH volunteers do in our local communities. The support of volunteers enables BCH to offer a wider range of services […]<\/p>\n