Here are some of the ways you can make a difference:
• Become a friend through regular visits.
• Drive a wheelchair-accessible bus.
• Bring your pet for a visit.
• Assist with pastoral care & spiritual support.
• Assist with group activities such as exercise programs, cooking, nail care & arts & crafts.
• Provide home visits & support.
• Capturing a patient’s life story through the Biography Service.
• Share your language or professional skills.
Explore volunteering opportunities
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Residential Care visits
Join dedicated residential care staff and make a difference to people who can no longer live at home and need a high level of care. You can support aged care residents through:
• Becoming a friend through regular visits.
• Drive a minibus to take residents on local trips in their community.
• Assist with pastoral care activities.
• Support engaging activities such as exercise programs, cooking, walking, nail care & arts & crafts.
Home visits
As a HammondCare At Home volunteer, you can enjoy the fulfilment of participating in a shared interest with an older person living near you. Your local Volunteer Coordinator will connect you with someone in your community who is experiencing loneliness and social isolation while living at home.
Pictured above is volunteer Prajdnik Awasthi, who visits John Bush, a former New York Trade Commissioner, and avid art collector. Their visits often involve outings to see the latest art exhibits, where they bond over their love of art. Read their story.
Hospital volunteering
Volunteer alongside specialised clinicians, providing a range of services, to help bring meaningful engagement to patients and their visitors. There are many ways you can support people in our care, providing them with much-needed joy, including:
• Taking trolleys room-to-room for morning tea & happy hour.
• Helping dreams come true through the Dreams Project.
• Supporting therapists in activities including art, music & games.
• Capturing a patient’s life story as a biography service volunteer.
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Social Club & Respite Cottage volunteering
HammondCare Social Clubs provide an inclusive environment where older people, including those living with dementia, can take a break from their home environment, connect with their community, and spend time engaging in enjoyable activities and socialising. Our Respite Cottages offer overnight support, whereas the Social Clubs only operate during the day.
In addition to making a difference to the staff and clients, your support is very much appreciated by the family members and friends of clients who rely on these services to take a much-needed break and enjoy some time away from their caring roles.
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Help patients through Community Palliative Care
Join us and help provide comforting physical and emotional support to people with a progressive life-limiting illness. As a volunteer with our Community Palliative Care Service, you can make an impact through:
• Visiting a patient at home to provide company & give their family a break.
• Driving patients to an outing, an appointment, or to do some shopping.
• Helping our pastoral care team with pastoral services.
• Capturing a patient’s life story as a Biography Service volunteer.
Pastoral Care volunteering
As a Christian organisation, regardless of a patient, client, or resident's faith, background or circumstances, we are committed to meeting them where they are and providing a listening ear to help answer questions about the changes in their lives.
Pastoral volunteers play a pivotal role in supporting pastoral care. Our pastoral care coordinators offer guidance and practical training to volunteers through the Spiritual Care Series. This training equips volunteers with a holistic understanding of spiritual well-being and teaches them how to provide meaningful support to residents, patients, or clients.
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Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme (ACVVS)
Funded by the Australian Government, HammondCare is an approved provider of the Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme (ACVVS). If you choose to become a ACVVS volunteer, you will be matched with care recipients of Australian Government-funded residential aged care and home care packages who may be feeling isolated. ACVVS volunteering not only enriches the lives of those supported by HammondCare, but also extends to other participating aged care providers in the ACVVS network.
Apply onlineWhat our volunteers have to say
Charlise and Mollie
Charlise brings her dog, Mollie, along with her to visit clients in their homes. “It may be an hour out of your day, but it might make someone's whole week, so a little sacrifice goes a long way for other people".
Thu
Thu visits residents at Hammondville where he uses his French language skills and his musical talent to bring joy to people's lives. "I wanted to do work that reflects my value, my belief... I think that we can improve the quality of life of people in need".
It’s easy to get started
Register online
Speak with our team
We'll set up some time to discuss your application, the registration process and explore your areas of interest.
Start your induction
Read our latest stories and news
27 July 2023 | Article
Gerry's lifelong passion shared with others
26 June 2023 | Article
Brendon shares his top 5 tips for volunteering
FAQs
How many hours do you require from volunteers?
We’ve found that volunteers who are committed regularly over a long period of time gain a deeper sense of personal satisfaction. Preferably, you’ll be available for at least one hour per week over 12 months or longer. This may vary between roles and locations, so we encourage you to speak with us about your interests and availability.
What do I need to do to volunteer in a residential care home?
To volunteer in our residential care homes, you must:
- Be 16 years of age or older
- Show proof of COVID-19 (three doses) and flu vaccinations
- Follow our COVID-19 guidance
- Complete a criminal record check, which we can arrange
- Complete an NDIS Worker Screening Check.
What do I need to do to volunteer in someone's home?
To become a Home Care volunteer, you must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Show proof of COVID-19 (three doses) and flu vaccinations
- Follow our COVID-19 guidance
- Complete a criminal record check, which we can arrange.
What do I need to do to become a hospital or community palliative care volunteer?
To become a Health and Palliative Care volunteer, you must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Show proof of COVID-19 (three doses), flu vaccinations, and further immunisation screening
- Follow our COVID-19 guidance
- Complete a criminal record check, which we can arrange.
I’m looking for work or needing to complete placement hours. Can I volunteer with HammondCare?
We appreciate the interest, however, volunteering isn’t a pathway to a paid role at HammondCare or completing work placements. Our recruitment team is always looking for great people to work with us, so we encourage you to check the vacancies on our Careers page.
How can my company get involved and volunteer as a team?
We welcome organisations who would like to get involved in our Corporate Community Engagement program. For more details, call our Volunteer Coordinator on 1800 793 399.
Are there residential care homes in my local area?
You are able to volunteer at our residential care homes in Cardiff, Caulfield, Darlinghurst, Erina, Hammondville, Horsley, Miranda, North Turramurra, Wahroonga, Waratah and Woy Woy.
Can I volunteer as a community social visitor in my local area?
We welcome volunteers in ACT, NSW (Central Coast, Northern Sydney, Hunter, Illawarra, South East Sydney, South West Sydney, Southern Highlands, Central West, Far West, Northern Rivers) and Victoria (Melbourne Metro).
Which hospital or community palliative care service can I volunteer at?
We welcome volunteers at Braeside Hospital, Greenwich Hospital and Neringah Hospital.
You can also volunteer at our community palliative care across the Northern Beaches and North Shore Sydney.
What training and support do I get as a volunteer?
You will be completely supported from the moment you start as a volunteer. Before you’re on the ground, we prepare you for the role with our online training program. Then from day one, you’re paired with a volunteer buddy who will introduce you to people and guide you on your journey. Your local Volunteer Coordinator also provides ongoing support.
I’m interested in visiting someone in their home. How will you know if we’ll get along?
Your local Volunteer Coordinator will meet with you to find out about your interests, and then they’ll look for someone close by who may share similar interests. At your first meet-up, the Volunteer Coordinator will help with introductions and get the conversation going.
Can I complete the service component of my Duke of Edinburgh Award with HammondCare?
The Duke of Edinburgh International Award is a development program empowering youth to explore their full potential. We welcome students aged 16 years or older who are willing to commit to a minimum of 60 hours of service in one of our residential care homes. Please note that student placements are limited.
I work full-time during the week. Can I volunteer on the weekends or evenings?
The majority of our volunteer opportunities are held during the week, Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm. There are limited opportunities to volunteer outside these times, but we can discuss your availability and preferences during the interview process.
How can I help raise funds for HammondCare?
You can help by volunteering to help raise vital funds for The HammondCare Foundation. All funds raised go toward helping us continually expand and improve our services and support for people in need. Visit the HammondCare Foundation to learn more about the work we do.
Are there any short-term volunteering opportunities?
Our volunteer programs provide opportunities to build relationships with the clients, residents, and patients we care for. The best way to make this happen is with a volunteer commitment of at least an hour per week or fortnight for 12 months or more. But, from time to time, we may have short-term opportunities available. You can check our volunteer opportunities page for updates.
Is HammondCare part of the Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme (ACVVS)?
HammondCare is an approved provider of the Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme (ACVVS), which is funded by the Australian Government. To become a ACVVS volunteer, you will be matched with care recipients with Australian Government-funded residential aged care and home care packages who may be feeling isolated. ACVVS volunteering not only enriches the lives of those supported by HammondCare, but also extends to other participating aged care providers in the ACVVS network.
