Visit and volunteer in 2025

PORKY the puppy has stolen the hearts of residents at Heathcote Health Aged Care.

The four-month-old dog regularly visits residents and accompanies them at their regular Friday morning walk group with community house.

“The residents love visitors and particularly dogs and children,” said leisure and lifestyle assistant Karra King.

“Their faces light up when Porky comes to visit and the staff love him, too.

“We also have Jack and Ben, therapy dogs who regularly visit.”

Ms King coordinates a wide range of activities for residents each week and would love to have more volunteers to enrich the experiences.

 

“We do craft, creative writing and play games, special themed activities and exercises and we have visiting entertainers and outings.

“At the moment I am looking someone who could come along and do some art with residents or simply come along and chat for a while.

“Volunteers always tell me that they get as much out of it as the residents.”

Linda Cornelissen, from the Heathcote Writers’ Playgroup, regularly participates in writing sessions with residents.

“The residents love to tell stories about their lives and it’s fascinating what they tell me,” she said.

“Some are unable to write so we write the stories for them.

“But, most of all, it is about spending time and listening.

 

“The residents are so grateful but really it is us wh o gain so much for just an hour of our time.”

Anyone who is interested in volunteering can contact Ms King at Heathcote Health Aged Care.