Age Concerns’ Visiting Service matches older people who are lonely or socially isolated with volunteers who are keen to spend time getting to know them. The volunteers visit the older people each week forming friendships and enjoying shared activities. The regular social contact supports the wellbeing of the older person and helps to ensure that emerging issues and unmet needs don’t go unnoticed.
Most, but not all Age Concerns have a Visiting Service, however, all Age Concerns can tell people about local social groups and support services, and most run a range of group activities themselves.
Would you like more company?
Could a visitor help you or someone you know?
Thousands of New Zealanders have connected through Age Concerns’ Visiting Services and volunteer visitors make over 60,000 visits or phone calls each year.
Everyone is different, so the first step is to talk with one of our friendly Age Concern Visiting Service staff about what is need and want. If the Visiting Service is right for someone, they will carefully match that person with a suitable volunteer based on their preferences and interests and will introduce them to each other.
The volunteers are police-checked and trained and spend about an hour each week sharing conversation and activities with their older friends. Most visits take place in the home of the older person, but some involve going out together. Matches are regularly reviewed and Age Concern will work with the older person and volunteer if any issues arise. You can download a brochure below.
Telephone calls and home visits have made a huge difference. – like a very caring family member.
People tell us that a regular visit is something to look forward to, that it makes them feel happier, and that it’s reassuring to have someone popping in each week.
Our volunteers tell us that they enjoy the time they spend with their older friends and also look forward to their visits.
We’ll find the right visitor for you
If you decide that you would like a visitor, one of our team will come and see you at home, to get to know you and find out about your interests.
This will help us to match you with the right person. If you would prefer to go out rather than have visits in your own home, let us know so that we can look for a visitor able to do that with you.
There may also be other Age Concern social activities that you would enjoy. We will keep in touch with you and your visitor
to make sure that you are both enjoying your visits, and you can give us a call at any time if
Who is the service for?
If you are over or close to 65, and wanting more social contact, the visiting service may be right for you. The service is not just for people living alone. Older people who live with others also sometimes feel the need for more company.
One thing to be aware of the visiting service aims to provide company. Visitors may take people out if they feel able, but it is not their role to help with household tasks or regular shopping.
Meeting others through volunteer visits
Have you thought about meeting others by becoming a visitor?
Regular visits can make a real difference to an older person’s health and happiness and our visitors tell us that they also benefit from their role and enjoy the time they spend with an older person. Here are some of the things our volunteer visitors have told us
It anchors my week, and I feel useful and needed. She’s also a lovely person, so it’s great catching up with her each week.
Helped with confidence, putting myself out of comfort zone to talk to people from a different walk of life.
Our visiting service volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds and age groups. If you would like to spend time with an older person and have an hour or so a week to spare, read more about volunteering here, and contact your local Age Concern
Become a Volunteer
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