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.<\/p>\n
\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.<\/p>\n
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