Visiting Service

(Information & links below for Self-referrals, Agency referrals and how to become a Volunteer).

Many older people in our community are lonely and isolated as they receive few or no regular visitors.
Age Concern South Canterbury’s Visiting Service helps reduce this loneliness by providing friendship and
companionship through a volunteer visitor, enhancing the wellbeing and quality of life of the older person.

Our free and confidential Visiting Service provide older people with meaningful social interactions through regular visits from volunteers. Designed for individuals over 65 who are socially isolated, the service offers companionship and friendship, improving their lives with quality time.

Clients are matched with volunteers based on shared interests, preferences, and location, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience for both the client and the volunteer. Each visit lasts at least one hour per week.

Our volunteers are carefully selected, trained, and monitored to provide the best support. Beyond regular visits, the service also offers opportunities for clients to engage in community activities and build broader social connections.

Participants are encouraged to join other social groups, such as the Age Concern Friday Club or various coffee groups, enhancing their social network and overall well-being.

Guidelines for Referring Agencies and Self Referrals

Who is the Visiting Service for?

The Visiting Service is for people over 65, who are at risk of social isolation due to having no or few regular visitors and who can contribute to a mutually beneficial relationship.
The Visiting Service is also for couples where one person is the carer of a partner.
Health professionals, family or friends can refer an older person or couple. Just be sure to ask their permission first.

Clients with complex needs such as dementia and/or other mental health issues, or extreme frailty may not be suitable for this service and will be considered on a case by case basis.

Please be aware when making a referral that volunteers do not receive specialised training in such areas as mental health, substance addiction or Alzheimer’s and dementia etc. In these circumstances, for the benefit of your client, you may wish to refer to other agencies.

The Visiting Service manages a waiting list and some clients may have to wait for a suitable volunteer, whilst others may be ‘matched’ immediately.

Our Volunteers

Volunteers should have a desire to offer companionship and support to older people in our community. They need to have empathy, be a good listener, respect the client’s privacy and wishes.

A very rewarding role and lifelong friendships are made.

The Visiting Service Volunteers have an initial interview, followed by a Police and two referee checks, then final orientation and training. Ongoing support and training is provided by our Visiting Service Coordinator.

What do Visiting Service visitors do?

Visiting Service visitors provide social support via regular visits of about an hour per week, share interests and activities with clients, and support them, where possible, to make other community contacts.

To become a Visiting Service Volunteer, you will need to

attend an interview.
pass a police check and two reference checks.
complete orientation training.
be matched with an older person and get to know them.
support them to increase their social activity in their own way and at their pace.
provide records of your visits, and regularly review with your Co-ordinator how the
match is going.

The Volunteer Visitor role does not involve

Managing the older person’s financial affairs or handling money.
Domestic housework, grocery shopping, taking clients to appointments.
Organising recreational pursuits or outings for clients unless for mutual pleasure or by mutual agreement.
Taking over the role of family, formal or informal carer, housekeeper, nurse, social worker or other visitors.

Please click on these links to connect to our referral and volunteer forms

Client Self Referral Form

Third Party or Agency Referral Form

Contact Details

Phone: 03 6877587

Email: volunteers@ageconcernsc.org.nz

Warm Regards
Alice Sollis
Visiting Services Manager

Visiting Service

(Information & links below for Self-referrals, Agency referrals and how to become a Volunteer).