“I couldn’t wait to start my visits.”

Janet shared this sentiment when explaining her meaningful experience of volunteering with genU since November 2024. 

In a connection through a quirk of timing, Janet has been supporting Italian-born Geelong resident Tom for the past six months through the Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme (ACVVS), a Federal Government-funded program facilitated by genU’s Volunteer Program. 

Janet’s impact has been profound for Tom and her support has epitomised the intended spirit behind the ACVVS: fostering social connections, reducing loneliness, creating friendship and companionship.

When visiting Tom every fortnight at his and wife Tina’s home, Janet predominantly speaks Italian, a language she has been learning for the past eight years. 

“I volunteer for one hour, but I never leave before two hours,” Janet said. 

And these hours are easily consumed: a conversation wandering through Tom’s garden while admiring the latest crop of vegetable-laden plants, including tomatoes, eggplant, asparagus, herbs and capsicums. Chatting over nice coffee and enjoying Tina’s scrumptious homemade treats in the outdoor living area. Listening to Tom reminisce about his younger days. 

“It's been a great experience,” Janet stated. 

“I love listening to Tom…asking him about the Italian language and asking him to correct me. 

“But I really love allowing him the opportunity to speak, to relive his stories and relive his past life in Italy and Australia…this allows him the space to express his feelings. 

“It makes me feel really privileged that he shares some quite emotional stories with me.

“I feel like I’m the winner here [volunteering].”

Watch a video of Tom and Janet talking about their special connection here.

For Tom, he’s content to be a sounding board for Janet’s passion for Italian as much as he enjoys chatting about whatever topics arise. 

“I like talking with her because she understands and I understand her when she talks to me,” Tom said. 

“I’m happy because she helps me, and I hope I can help her. She’s a nice lady.”

Helping in the community has been a constant theme for Janet, who has spent much of her life volunteering with children. The unfortunate closing of a childcare centre in 2024 coincided with the ACVVS opportunity, which proved to be fortuitous timing for Tom and Janet.

The volunteering opportunity was promoted through the Italian Friends School in Geelong, where Janet had recently started studying, and it immediately caught her attention.

“It really resonated with me and I thought, ‘I could do that’,” Janet said. 

After making the decision to apply to become a volunteer, Janet found the genU online volunteer application process simple to undertake. Janet soon received a phone call from genU and after being accepted into the program, she underwent her induction. genU then introduced Janet to Tom and Tina and the connection was instant. 

“I felt so welcome in the house,” Janet said. “We sat we had coffee and cakes and it was just such a lovely warm feeling. 

“Tom and I spoke a little bit in Italian, and I couldn't wait to start my visits.” 

Having lived in Geelong since 1963 after arriving to Melbourne as a migrant from Italy, Tom settled into his new life, raising his family and working locally and contributing to his community. However, in his later years, Tom had become more insular and withdrawn, according to Tina.  

Tina is amazed with the positive change in Tom’s demeanour, and how he is interacting in ways she thought were behind him. 

“Since Janet's been volunteering for us, the change in Tom is incredible,” Tina said. 

“He is more open, he’s more relaxed and he often asks me, ‘when is Janet visiting?’. 

Previously afraid to leave Tom at home for any length of time, Tina said it gave her great comfort to know he was in safe hands. 

“I can leave and go to the supermarket and relax because I know that he's comfortable with Janet,” she said. 

Volunteering with genU has also enriched Janet’s life in ways she had not foreseen. This includes the ripple effect her volunteering has created through Tom and Tina’s family. 

“I don't feel like I'm just helping Tom in this role,” Janet said. 

“I feel like I'm also supporting Tina because it allows her an opportunity to do things during the day. 

“And I also think this has a knock-on effect, not just for Tina, but for her grandchildren because she's often preparing dinner for them. So they're all also benefiting from me being here.” 

For anyone looking for a way to give back to their community, Janet highly recommends joining the volunteer program. 

“If you're considering volunteering with genU, definitely give it a go – it’s a great feeling.” 

***

The ACVVS is a free service that connects older people with caring volunteers for friendship and companionship. Volunteer visitors are matched with participants based on shared interests and location.

Visits are available to anyone who receives government-subsidised residential aged care or Home Care Packages, including care recipients approved or on the National Priority System for residential or home care packages. 

Want to create a positive impact for people in your community? If volunteering resonates with you, you can learn more about the opportunities available in the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme and consider becoming a volunteer visitor. genU offers this program across Barwon South West and Grampians regions in Victoria and North and South Tasmania.