ACROSS Laurieton, North Haven and Port Macquarie, In Great Company Volunteering is calling on community members to step forward and become Friendly Visitor volunteers for older residents.
The program matches volunteers with seniors who have limited social contact, providing regular visits that offer companionship, conversation and a meaningful connection to the community.
Organisers say the impact of these visits can be life-changing, not only for the seniors involved but also for the volunteers themselves.
“If you enjoy good conversation and would like to give back to the community, this could be the perfect way to make a difference,” they wrote on Facebook.
“No special skills are required, just a warm heart and a willingness to listen.”
Many older people living alone can experience reduced mobility, or feel disconnected from family and friends, particularly after major life changes such as retirement, illness or the loss of a partner.
Australia’s population is ageing, with more than one in six people aged 65 years and over in 2022, according to the Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Older Australians make up 17.1 per cent of the population, reflecting strong growth over the past decade.
The Mid North Coast has an older population profile than both NSW and Australia, with higher proportions of residents across all age groups over 65 years.
People aged 65 to 69 years make up 8.2 per cent of the local population, compared with 5.2 per cent in NSW and 5.1 per cent nationally.
Residents aged 70 to 74 years account for 8.2 per cent locally, compared with NSW and Australian averages of 4.6 per cent.
Older age groups, those aged 75 to 79 years make up 6.0 per cent of the population.
Residents aged 80 to 84 years account for 3.8 per cent and those aged 85 years and over 3.7 per cent, compared with just over two per cent nationally.
The figures highlight the ongoing demographic shift and the growing need for services and community support for an ageing population on the Mid North Coast.
The Friendly Visitor program welcomes people from all walks of life who bring a warm heart, a willingness to listen, and a genuine interest in supporting others.
Trained volunteers spend time with seniors in their homes or aged care settings, sharing stories, enjoying a chat, or simply offering a friendly presence.
The initiative is funded by the Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme, which provides the service free of charge to seniors in the local community.
Volunteers receive support and guidance to ensure visits are safe, rewarding and tailored to each individual match.
Community members interested in becoming a volunteer can lodge an Expression of Interest online or contact Gemma for more information on 0427 167 106.
Further details about In Great Company Volunteering and how to get involved are available at www.feroscare.com.au/volunteer.
By Sis HIGGINS
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