CO.AS.IT - Social Support Individual Visits & Community Visitors Scheme

Why we exist

The CO.AS.It Visitation Program provides social support to Italian older adults who find themselves socially isolated and lonely at home or in an aged care facility. Commencing in 2023, the program will be available to all nationalities. 

What we do

The program considers the interests and needs of the consumer and matches them with a community visitor who has similar interests. Visits occur on a weekly basis in a private home and at least fortnightly in an aged care facility. 

Community Visitors undergo formal induction training and participate in on-going support meetings throughout their volunteering years of service. Every visitor has a current Police Check Clearance and is provided with current guidelines about the program.

The service is monitored by the Visitation Program Coordinator together with a team of Regional Coordinators across the Melbourne Metropolitan area and the rural region of Shepparton. The consumer, the community visitor and the Regional Coordinator are in direct and regular conduct in order to maintain quality of service.

Volunteer purpose

Community Visitors experience the satisfaction of providing comfort and social support to those in need. They are rewarded in the knowledge that they are making someone else’s life a little happier. Saint Francis of Assisi once said: "For it is in giving that we receive".

Volunteers give testimony to the truth of this saying. They also benefit from the camaraderie of this program. They meet other generous people like themselves that give a little of their time for the wellbeing of others. CO.AS.IT. values and appreciates this generosity in a variety of ways.

Consumers maintain connections with the wider community. They gain mental stimulation to break the burden of loneliness and isolation as well as obtaining an increased sense of belonging and self-worth.

Roles and programs volunteers may undertake or be involved with

Volunteers support clients to achieve their individual goals, this may be in the home to provide social support whilst living independently or in a community group setting, for example an aged care facility.

Activities may include:

  • General conversation to prevent the feeling of loneliness and isolation
  • Playing cards or a game which may be unavailable to the consumer when living alone
  • Share in other activities such as cooking, gardening, playing or listening to music etc
  • Provide a short respite for carers who wish to take a little break through the day
  • Pet therapy
  • Playing music, reading poetry or providing a group activity in an aged care facility

Coordination of volunteers

Regional Volunteer Coordinator – Greater Shepparton
Cherrie Secomb
Phone: 0481 603 710 (9am-2pm Monday- Thursday)
Email: CSecomb@coasit.com.au