July 2026

The Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme connects trained volunteers with older people who may be socially isolated or lonely, providing regular visits that build genuine friendships and improve wellbeing. Through consistent connections, the program helps to reduce loneliness, supports mental health, and enhances quality of life for participants, while also offering meaningful and rewarding experiences for volunteers.

The ACVVS supports older people living at home or in aged care residential facilities in the New England region.

We're currently recruiting volunteers of any age (over 18), gender or background.

If you're interested in joining the team as a volunteer, please fill out the Expression of Interest form here.

Or contact: (02) 6516 1921 | volunteervisitors@bluesky.org.au

If you know someone who would benefit from being a participant in the scheme, you can refer them via the Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme Participant Referral Form here.

The National Dementia Helpline can help you if you:

• live with dementia
• know and care for someone with dementia
• work with people with dementia
• are concerned about your thinking, mood and memory
• have mild cognitive impairment.

How can we help

Free and confidential, the National Dementia Helpline, 1800 100 500, provides expert information, advice and support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. No issue too big, no question too small. We can:

• provide emotional support and guidance
• connect you to Dementia Australia and community support services and programs
• discuss government support, including My Aged Care, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Carer Gateway and Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS).

Dementia Australia provides a wide range of supports whether you're living with dementia, caring for someone, seeking information or training, supporting the cause, or contributing to research. See more information here: Home | Dementia Australia

Catholic Healthcare are open for CHSP and SAH referrals across the Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and Lake Cathie regions.

Availability for DA, SSI, & PC across Port Macquarie and Lake Cathie.

Availability for Support at Home, DA, FR, SSI and PC across Coffs Harbour.

To make a referral, call 1800 225 474 or or visit catholichealthcare.com.au/referrers

We have a team of 80 wonderful volunteers who work in our office, and assist in the delivery of meals and work in the kitchen of Chill 'n' Chat, making our fresh  salads and sandwiches.

Our service relies on the support of volunteers and we appreciate every one of them.

If you would like to be involved as a volunteer, register here: Volunteers | Meals On Wheels

All volunteers operate according to our Code of Behaviour. All volunteers are required to complete a NSW Police Check, which MOW pays for. While volunteers provide clients with important personal contact, they are also enriching their own lives by the volunteering experience.

They have the satisfaction of helping others; they meet other volunteers and have some fun; they take part in training opportunities to learn and develop new skills and best of all they feel needed and valued. We have a great volunteer network who readily tell you how satisfying their work is. “Thanks for being the eyes and ears for our service.”

Who can access the Elder Care Support program?

Any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person who is 50 and over can access the Elder Care Support program.

A family member or support person can also reach out to the program on behalf of the older person. 

What help can the Elder Care Support program provide?

The Elder Care Support program is available across urban, regional and remote Australia. It provides support workers who can give you information about aged care and guide you through the process of accessing services.

An Elder Care Support worker can:

• advocate for you in meetings to have your voice heard
• help you understand aged care services, navigate and attend the assessment process and choose a provider
• help families, friends and carers understand how to access aged care services
• advocate for you by working with assessors and providers
• support you while you receive aged care services
• help with other health needs, such as disability support.

See more information here: Elder Care Support program | My Aged Care

Local Providers

Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service - Kempsey

Galambila Aboriginal Health Service - Coffs Harbour

Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service - Ballina

For details on what services will be available and upcoming dates and locations, please visit the Service NSW websitet: Upcoming Northern Mobile Service Centre visits | Service NSW

The Ageing in Australia Community Expectations Report 2026, recently released by Ageing Australia, is useful reading for anyone working in aged care services and community care. 

Conducted by SEC Newgate, this is the first in a planned biennial series looking at what the broader Australian community thinks about ageing, aged care, retirement living and seniors housing. This includes views from people of all ages, not just older people or current service users. The research draws on both qualitative and quantitative data gathered in mid-2025, covering trust, confidence and expectations across the system, including views on funding, technology and informal caregiving. 

Read the Ageing in Australia Community Expectations Report here 

Effective communication with participants in community aged care relies on good choices about the use of digital and non-digital communication tools. These choices should be informed by an understanding of the communication rights, needs and preferences of older Australians, including those living with disability. 

Many older Australians are capable and confident users of digital communication technologies, and people with disability are often early adopters. However, a significant proportion face barriers in using digital tools for a range of practical, cognitive or access-related reasons.  While this guide relates to older people with all types of disability, it provides targeted advice for some of the most common forms of disability experienced by participants in community aged care: 

• Dementia-related disability, 

• Sensory disability (sight, hearing and speech), 

• Physical mobility disability

• Other cognitive and psychosocial disability (intellectual, acquired brain injury, psychosocial, autism) 

COTA Victoria has produced a guide for community aged care providers on the inclusive use of digital and non-digital communications for older people with a disability.

For more information and to download the guide visit the COTA Victoria website.     

A death doula (also known as an end-of-life doula) is a non-medical professional who provides emotional, spiritual, and practical support to terminally ill individuals and their families. Similar to birth doulas, they offer holistic guidance to make the dying process as peaceful and personalised as possible.

They support clients by supplementing hospice or hospital care. Their core responsibilities generally include:

• Practical Planning: Helping get affairs in order, writing advance directives, and planning memorial or funeral services.
• Emotional Support: Sitting vigil, listening to concerns, and holding space for difficult conversations without judgment.
• Legacy Projects: Assisting the dying person in creating memory books, letters, or videos for loved ones.
• Family Care: Providing respite for primary caregivers and helping the family navigate anticipatory grief.
• Post-Death Support: Assisting with after-death care, ritual planning, and ongoing bereavement support.

End of Life Doula Directory: Resources - End of Life Doula Directory End of Life Doula Directory

Natural Death Care Centre: WELCOME HOME - Natural Death Care Centre

Northern Rivers Doula Network: End of Life / Death Care Doula - Business Listings - NDAN - Results from #30

Bellingen Shire Libraries are excited to be offering the Tech Savvy Seniors program at all branches, in partnership with the NSW Government and Telstra. This initiative offers free technology training to seniors, helping them confidently navigate the digital world.  

The Shire Libraries are offering drop-in sessions for our Seniors with little or no digital experience, providing hands-on support to develop essential skills for socialising, accessing services, and managing personal tasks online. Participants will receive guidance on using computers, tablets, smartphones, the internet, email, and social media platforms. ‘We are here to help our community embrace the digital age,’ said Shire Librarian, Rowena Sierant. ‘Our team can also assist you with downloading our library apps, giving you access to talking books, e-books or magazines all through your smart phone.’ 

Tech Savvy events:

Bellingen Library: Thursdays fortnightly 10am to 12pm

Urunga Library: Wednesdays fortnightly 10am to 12pm

Dorrigo Library: Thursdays fortnightly 10am to 12pm

For more information, including the dates of the next events, call Bellingen Library on 6655 1744, Urunga Library on 6655 6444 or Dorrigo Library on 6657 2234.

That's right - Coffs Harbour Libraries can come to you.

For eligible library members, the Home Library Service can deliver items once a month to your home for free. This service is for individuals who are unable to visit a branch due to a disability, illness, or limited mobility. Full-time caregivers of participating members can also use this service.

Find out more information on the library website, call 6648 4913 or email coffs.library@chcc.nsw.gov.au. Ask for Kate, who can walk you through the joining process or answer any questions you may have.

Support and Respite Program for Carers and those Living with Dementia 

About Refresh Retreat  

The Refresh Retreat program is being delivered across NSW and ACT and is open to BaptistCare, non-BaptistCare and NDIS clients.  

The person living with dementia does not need to be in receipt of Commonwealth or SAH-funded aged care services and does not need to be registered or screened by My Aged Care or NDIS to access the program. We are open to also receiving referral from Support at Home providers, allied health, medical practitioners, family members and or care partners.  

Refresh Retreats  

• 3 day/2-night community residential programs designed for both the person living with dementia and their carer to attend.  
• During the program, carers participate in an education and wellbeing program, whilst the person living with dementia is introduced to a respite experience.  
• The program is funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care and is free to attend. The costs of the program, all accommodation and meals are fully covered. 

To attend a Refresh Retreat, the following criteria need to be met: 

1. The person has been diagnosed with dementia and is in the earlier stages of the disease  (referrals for clients known to have cognitive decline, with no formal diagnosis, will be considered).
2. The person living with dementia has only mild – moderate behavioural changes (moderate changes can be considered, however must be assessed for suitability).
3. The person living with dementia and their carer (co-residing or may not live in the same household) intend to continue to live in the community for the foreseeable future   
4. Both the person living with dementia and their carer both agree to attend the program and are willing to stay for the 3 days and 2 nights.  

Note: People with Younger Onset Dementia (under 65 years old) are eligible for the program – with consideration of the above mentioned points.

Dates and Location 

We deliver 44 programs throughout NSW and the ACT and details of location and dates are listed on the  Refresh Retreats | BaptistCare website.  

Referrals for this program  

Your referrals are welcome in various options – see below 

1. Email to refreshretreatsnswact@baptistcare.org.au  

2. Contacting BaptistCare’s contact centre on 1300 275 227. 

3. Via the link website enquiry form Refresh Retreats NSW & ACT | BaptistCare 

We can accommodate up to 7 dyads which will include the key carer and person with dementia to our Refresh Retreat Program.  

Should you require any further information about the Retreats or would like us to deliver a presentation (on-line or in-person), please contact , Diane Montoya, Refresh Retreat Program Manager, via DMontoya@baptistcare.org.au or 0482 180 969.