I was inspired to start volunteering because, in previous volunteer roles, the people I supported were usually only involved for a short period of time. Through the Ageing with Grace Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme, I saw the opportunity to build genuine ongoing relationships and connections with older people over time.

What motivates me to continue volunteering is seeing that my visits are appreciated and knowing they bring some joy and companionship into what can sometimes be a very routine, and lonely existence for the people I visit. I also value the personal social connection and friendships that naturally develop through volunteering.

I hope my volunteering helps bring variety, connection, and positive experiences into the lives of the older people I visit, while reminding them that someone genuinely cares about them and enjoys spending time with them.

What I enjoy most is the opportunity to connect with people, hear about their lives and experiences, and know that our visits make a meaningful difference to one another.

To anyone thinking about volunteering, I would say - get out and do it. You have the chance to bring diversity, connection, and hopefully improvement into the lives of others who may be less fortunate, while also experiencing the personal gratification that comes from giving your time to others.

I have been volunteering with Ageing with Grace for around two years.I was first attracted to the program because I felt I could make areal difference in someone’s life. My first match was not ideal and, after nine months, I finished up as the lady’s dementia progressed.

My current match is ideal , perfect, in fact. We have so much in common. We are both retired missionaries, both held private pilot’s licenses, enjoy making clothes and crafts, and both play the piano at a high level.To top it all off, our birthdays are only three days apart.

I truly look forward to our weekly visits. We share stories of our adventures,laugh a lot, and simply enjoy each other’s company. As we are both Christians, we always finish our visits with a short prayer.

I would absolutely recommend volunteering with Ageing with Grace. The joy and satisfaction work both ways, for both the volunteer and the older person, especially when the match is right.

I have been volunteering with Ageing with Grace for around a year and a half.

I have always wanted to make a positive difference in someone’s life by bringing a little brightness, joy, and connection into their day, even if only for a short while.

One recent moment that has really stayed with me was spending time with a resident alongside a Personal Care Assistant while we completed a colouring activity together. It may have seemed like a simple activity, but during that time we built such a lovely sense of trust, comfort, and connection. Before I left, she gave me a big hug because she had enjoyed our time together so much. It reminded me how meaningful even small moments of kindness and companionship can be.

What motivates me to continue volunteering is being able to spend time with people who may not always have regular visitors or opportunities for connection. Sometimes it is not about doing anything extraordinary, simply listening to someone’s stories, sharing a laugh, or quietly sitting together can mean so much.

I hope my volunteering helps older people feel valued, heard, connected, and less alone.

What I enjoy most is creating genuine connections and seeing the happiness that can come from spending quality time together. It is incredibly rewarding to know that something as simple as company and conversation can brighten someone’s day.

To anyone thinking about volunteering, I would say that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a powerful difference, not only in someone else’s life, but in your own as well.

I started volunteering with Ageing with Grace about three years ago after learning about the service at a Seniors Expo. At the time, I had just retired and was looking for meaningful ways to spend my time.

One of the things that has stayed with me most during my volunteering is being greeted with a smile, a kiss, and a hug, something that is often missing from the lives of many older people. Those moments of warmth and connection are incredibly special.

What motivates me to continue volunteering is the companionship and friendship that develops over time. I love sitting down together for a cuppa and a biscuit, hearing stories about their life, and sharing plenty of cheeky banter along the way. We have become mates and genuinely enjoy each other’s company.

I hope my volunteering makes a positive difference in someone’s life by providing companionship, connection, and a few laughs.

What I enjoy most is the simple joy of spending time together and sharing those moments of genuine human connection.

To anyone thinking about volunteering, I would say, why not do it? Volunteering enriches both your life and the life of the person you visit. It brings joy, friendship, and connection to people who may otherwise feel very lonely.

I have been volunteering with Ageing with Grace for around two and a half years.

I first started volunteering because I wanted to fill my time with something meaningful and make a positive difference in someone’s life.

One moment that has always stayed with me was when I first met the lady I now visit regularly. After our very first visit, she refused to see me again because she thought “Ageing with Grace” was a skincare company! Thankfully, after a lot of explaining, she agreed to give it another try. Now I visit her twice a week and we both genuinely enjoy our time together. It has become much more than just another visit to tick off a list — it is now part of our routine and she feels like my grandma here.

What motivates me to continue volunteering is knowing that every visit means far more than I could ever imagine. For many older people, these visits may be one of the few regular social connections they have.

I hope my volunteering helps older people feel that they have gained a genuine friend, not just support from a volunteer.

What I enjoy most is listening to the lady I visit reminisce about her past and hearing her stories about how different life used to be.

To anyone thinking about volunteering, I would simply say — just do it. ✔️

I have been volunteering with Ageing with Grace since September 2024,so just over a year and a half now. I currently visit two older ladies who live in the same aged care facility.

I was inspired to start volunteering because I wanted to give back in a meaningful way and felt drawn to supporting older people who may be experiencing loneliness. After moving from the UK to Australia four years ago, I experienced moments of loneliness myself while being far away from family and friends. That helped me better understand how isolating life can sometimes feel and made me want to offer companionship and connection to others.

One of my favourite memories was when the aged care facility hosted a live music afternoon for residents. The room was filled with singing,laughter, and dancing. Seeing one of the ladies I visit light up with such a huge smile and being able to sing and dance alongside her was incredibly special and is something I will always remember.

What motivates me to continue volunteering are the relationships I have built with the two ladies I visit and knowing that my visits are something they genuinely look forward to each week. Being able to bring a little joy and connection into their lives means a great deal to me.

I hope my volunteering helps the ladies I visit feel connected, valued, seen,and heard.

What I enjoy most is listening to the fascinating stories from their lives and the little pieces of wisdom they share along the way. It is incredibly rewarding to simply spend time together and be someone they trust and feel comfortable talking to.

To anyone thinking about volunteering, I would say, just give it a go. It is not about doing anything extraordinary or having the perfect words.Simply being there and having a casual chat can mean far more than you realise. You will probably find that you get just as much out of the experience as the person you are visiting.

I have been volunteering for 25 years and, in 2021, I was honoured to receive the Inpex Lifetime Contribution to Volunteering Award in recognition of 20 years of volunteering. I later transferred from Anglicare to Ageing with Grace so that the older people I visited could continue to receive consistent support and companionship.

When I first arrived in Darwin in the 1980s and 1990s, I noticed that many older people were leaving Darwin for the southern states. After hearing about the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme, I decided to volunteer, hoping that older people would appreciate having someone visit and spend time with them.

One moment that has always stayed with me was while visiting Marjorie at the Salvation Army Nursing Home. She shared stories about a time when the famous cricketer Sir Donald Bradman spent his honeymoon at her parents’ establishment in the Blue Mountains. It was fascinating to hear such personal stories connected to Australian history.

What motivates me to continue volunteering is seeing the older people I visit light up with recognition and knowing they genuinely look forward to my visits.

I hope my volunteering brightens their day and helps relieve some of the monotony that can sometimes come with living in residential aged care.

What I enjoy most is hearing about the incredible and interesting lives people have lived. We often forget that the people we visit have such rich life experiences and stories to share. Listening to those memories is both rewarding and a privilege.

To anyone considering volunteering, I would absolutely encourage them to give it a go. From my own experience, volunteering teaches you a great deal about yourself. It helps you grow as a person, introduces you to like-minded people, and allows you to see firsthand the real need that exists within our community.

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I have been volunteering with Ageing with Grace for about a year and a half.

I was inspired to start volunteering because I had volunteered in the past and absolutely loved it. I wanted to do something that involved supporting older people because I have always had a soft spot for“oldies” ever since I was a kid. I no longer have any living grandparents, but I still remember how much a visit always meant to them, and that has stayed with me.

One moment that has really stayed with me is recently starting to do nails with Louli during our visits. It is such a small thing but seeing how appreciative and happy it makes her is really special.

What motivates me to continue volunteering is Louli herself. I genuinely love going to visit her and I can see how much our time together means to her,which is incredibly important to me.

I hope my volunteering brings even just a small spark of joy to Louli’s day.

What I enjoy most is simply spending time together. Some days Louli is a little tired,so we do not always need to talk constantly, sometimes she just enjoys having company. I also love chatting with her in Greek, and she has helped me reconnect with the language again, which has been meaningful for me too.

To anyone thinking about volunteering, I would absolutely say, do it. It does not have to be a huge time commitment. Even a weekly or fortnightly 30-minute visit can make a huge difference in someone’s life. It is a really special experience for both you and your older friend.

I have been volunteering with Ageing with Grace since January 2024.Although I retired in 2018, I have stayed active through a variety of volunteer roles including community radio, dance group coordination,event organising, working as a simulated patient for the University of Wollongong, serving as a U3A board member, and now volunteering with Ageing with Grace.

Volunteering allows me to give something back to the community, meet wonderful people, and feel that I am doing something worthwhile with my time now that I am no longer working full-time.

There have been many moments during my volunteering that have stayed with me. I remember reporting on the fire emergencies in late 2019 and early2020 during my community radio shows and receiving calls from listeners asking questions or requesting songs to help lift their spirits. I also remember a Christmas party with the dance group I coordinate, where members shared how much joy the group brought to their lives and how special it was to dance with people of all ages and backgrounds. It made me realise how important those connections had become, not only for them, but for me as well.

One particularly special moment through Ageing with Grace was when my friend, Felisa, recognised me and said, “Good to see you back, haven’t seen you for a few days.” Given her condition, that was an incredible moment and one I will always remember.

What motivates me to continue volunteering are the people I meet and knowing that what I do is making a difference in their lives. I hope my volunteering has brought some improvement to the lives of others, even if it is simply bringing a moment of happiness. Thinking about that makes me very happy.

What I enjoy most is meeting people from all walks of life, building connections, and doing whatever I can to help or bring happiness to someone’s day. I genuinely love that.

Volunteering has made me a better person. It has taught me a lot about others and given me the opportunity to make a positive impact in people’s lives. To anyone thinking about volunteering, I would absolutely encourage you to give it a go. Find a volunteering opportunity that suits you and experience for yourself just how rewarding it can be.

I have been volunteering with Ageing with Grace for around six months. I retired as a mental health clinician with an interest in art therapy in February 2025. Although I had always enjoyed my work,in my 75th year I felt it was the right time to retire and begin anew chapter.

Initially, I spent time traveling and enjoying being involved in my grandchildren’s lives. When I discovered volunteering, however, it felt like the perfect fit and a wonderful way to adjust to retirement while continuing to connect with and support others.

My first volunteering experience was with a lady in the early stages of dementia. I discovered that combining reality orientation with painting was something she responded to beautifully. During our sessions she even began singing old songs along with me, which was very special.

I now volunteer with two other people. One is a lady with a mental health diagnosis who is very proud of the art journal she has created through our time together. We enjoy a variety of activities including plein air painting, exploring books from the local library for inspiration,planning visits to the nature therapy trail at Wollongong Botanic Garden, visiting the art precinct in Port Kembla, finding inexpensive vases in charity shops for still life painting, and focusing on the senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch.

The gentleman I visit enjoys walking, so I often pack a thermos and snacks for us to enjoy before or after our walks. One particularly meaningful day, we took afternoon tea to the local cemetery where he wandered among the graves until he found his parents’ resting place. It was a very special moment for him and one he deeply appreciated.

What motivates me to continue volunteering is the relationship building. It is incredibly satisfying and I feel I am helping to provide meaningful and enriching experiences for the people I visit. I also enjoy the creativity involved in thinking of activities and pursuits we can share together. As an added bonus, all the walking helps keep me active too.

I hope my volunteering has broadened the experiences and enjoyment of life for the people I support. At the same time, I continue learning new things myself, which is important to me as I strongly believe in lifelong learning.

What I enjoy most about volunteering is the friendship, the positive feedback, and the creativity involved in planning activities and shared experiences. I would absolutely recommend volunteering to anyone who would enjoy making a genuine difference in someone’s life.

My name is Alison and I have been volunteering with Ageing with Grace for about two years, after transferring from another local aged care provider where I had volunteered since retiring nine years ago.

After leaving full-time work, I realised I needed something meaningful to fill some of my days and I missed the interaction with people that my career had provided.

I truly enjoy the time I spend with the older people I visit and I hope they gain as much from our catch ups as I do. I love sitting down for a cuppa and a chat and hearing about the interesting lives my clients have lived.Everyone has a story to tell. I have always regretted not listening more closely to my grandparents’ stories and I think many of us, as we get older, enjoy reminiscing about moments from our past, some that make us laugh and some that make us cry.

I do feel saddened when I meet older people who live alone or have very little contact with family. While I know I cannot replace family, I do feel that my visits brighten their day and provide companionship and connection.

One particularly special memory is visiting a dear lady in residential aged care who absolutely loved reading the newspaper. Every visit, I would bring one along for her. After carefully tearing out all the Harvey Norman advertisements in frustration, she would read the paper from front to back and save the crossword and puzzle pages “for later.” Before one birthday, she excitedly told me she was turning 100. I shared in her excitement and congratulated her, although I didn’t quite have the heart to tell her she was “only” turning 93!

I would absolutely recommend this kind of volunteering to anyone considering it. There may not be financial rewards, but there are buckets and buckets of enjoyment and satisfaction in knowing you may have brightened what otherwise could have been just another long and uneventful day for someone.

I have been volunteering with Ageing with Grace for more than six months.

My inspiration for starting to volunteer came from the hope that it might eventually lead to employment opportunities, and it did. Along the way, however,I also discovered how rewarding it is to support and connect with others in the community.

One moment that has stayed with me was when our older women’s aged care community team won a medal in a ball game at the National Seniors Olympics. It was such a proud and joyful moment for everyone involved.

What motivates me to continue volunteering is hope, hope that I can make a genuine and positive difference in people’s lives through the time and care I give.

What I enjoy most about volunteering is travelling to different places, meeting people,and experiencing new environments and connections along the way.

To anyone thinking about volunteering, I would say this: if you choose work that you can truly put your heart into, you will find your path.

I have been volunteering with Ageing with Grace for about two years.

I first became interested in volunteering after hearing stories about how many older people experience loneliness and social isolation. I felt I wanted to do something to help and make a difference in someone’s life.

One moment that has really stayed with me is hearing the person I visit talk about how his family rarely calls in to see him. It reminded me just how important regular connection and companionship can be.

What motivates me to continue volunteering is knowing that he genuinely looks forward to our catch ups each week and really appreciates the time we spend together. It is rewarding to know that even a small amount of time can make such a positive difference to someone who is lonely.

What I enjoy most is simply doing my bit and knowing I have made a meaningful contribution to someone’s life.

To anyone thinking about volunteering, I would say , do it. It is incredibly rewarding, the older people truly appreciate it, and even just 60minutes a week can make a real difference.

I have been volunteering with Ageing with Grace for one year. I first started volunteering because I hoped to make someone else’s life a little less lonely, while also enriching my own through friendship and connection.

I visit a79-year-old lady who lives in a retirement village. At first, I found her quite challenging as she often complained about politics, the weather, and her aged care package. Over time though, we developed a genuine connection. I would stand my ground and remind her that life,and politics, can be complicated, and that living in Melbourne certainly means dealing with all kinds of weather.

Now she feels comfortable asking me for advice, and one of our regular topics of conversation is a weekly summary of what Donald Trump has been up to,which always makes for entertaining discussions.

What I enjoy most is simply sitting down together for a cup of tea and an easy conversation. I have come to realise that my friend is not the self-absorbed person I first imagined. She now takes a genuine interest in my life too and often asks about what I have been doing.

Recently, she adopted a rescue cat named Katie, who is now affectionately known as Princess Kate. It has been wonderful to see how much love and joy this little cat has brought into her life. Watching her spoil and adore Princess Kate has been quite magical.

I know she is genuinely pleased when I arrive for our visits, and that makes volunteering feel incredibly worthwhile. Volunteering is certainly a commitment of time, but it is one that gives so much back in return.