Abstracts & Presentation Summaries - Department of Health

case examples to draw from, the following are just a few to demonstrate the
diversity, and flexibility of the services we are able to provide to meet the needs of
our clients.
Case examples:
A volunteer took a client for her admission to nursing home. This relieved the
emotional stresses on the family and the result was a more positive experience
for everyone.
A client with no family locally was to go on respite to hostel but had not seen
the facility. A volunteer was able to take her for a visit and the client was
much happier having met the staff and seen where she was going to stay.
A client in her early 60s from a culturally and linguistically diverse
background was referred by a mental health service. She was grieving,
suffering from depression and panic attacks after the loss of her husband.
With no family or close friends, she was very isolated. A volunteer was able to
support her. The long-term outcome was so positive that she now lives a very
active life linked into culturally appropriate groups and has become a
volunteer herself.
A client who had suffered a breakdown and would not leave her home has
been supported by her volunteer over a long period and is now participates in
many community activities. Initially the volunteer supported her in attending
ten pin bowling and a gym program but she is now confident to attend these
on her own and does not rely on her volunteer. She now has the confidence to
do such things as go shopping, to the hairdressers and to invite her volunteer
to join her for lunch at a restaurant.
A client wanted to purchase a summer wardrobe but did not have family who
could take her to do this. A volunteer was arranged to take her shopping and
for lunch. This was such an enjoyable day for her, having company and
coming home with lovely new clothes.
A Carer wanted to have her hair permed but felt unable to leave her partner
on his own for so many hours. A volunteer was organised to spend the
afternoon socially with the partner, which he enjoyed and the care was able to
enjoy the experience of some pampering without worrying.
To respond to the need to increase the number of volunteers required within the
program a partnership has been formed with Wodonga TAFE, Health, Social &
Community Studies section. The partnership has enabled students to gain placement
credit for the hours they participate in the program. The partnership has provided a
mutual benefit to both the social support and respite model and to the students.
They have gained valuable experience and contact with their potential client group.
The result of this social support and respite model has been a significant increase in
the number of social support and/or respite hours provided to a broader client base.
This increase in responsiveness is proving to be very cost effective and beneficial to
all partners.
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