As life slowly returns to normal, so are the operations at the Mercy Nursing home in Singleton. After COVID-19 forced aged care services into long term lockdowns, the local nursing home has now reopened its doors to family, visitors and most importantly volunteers.
"After twelve months of isolation, both the residents and the staff at the Singleton Mercy Nursing facility are thrilled to be able to have our volunteers back," said Mercy Services Volunteer Coordinator Karen Maloney.
"However, over the COVID period we did lose many volunteers and are seeking new ones."
There are numerous roles to be filled at the aged care facility including gardening groups, book clubs and most importantly companionship roles.
"Companionship visits are crucial as we have many residents who don't have any family or visitors to see or speak too," Karen continued.
Kim Brinkley who volunteers at the Singleton facility hosts a men's group each Friday.
"We only have a few men at the facility and it's a great place for the men to come away from the women and talk about 'bloke' stuff," said Kim.
The group uses power tools to build and restore furniture as well as discuss topics such as mining, their old jobs, war service and other interests the men have.
"My role is to provide them with another outlet that they have interest in as there are many domestic activities in the home for the women that the men aren't as interested in," Kim added.
"With the money we have raised, we have been able to purchase power tools and build a work bench for the men to use, they absolutely love it."
"They feel like they have a sense of purpose when accomplishing something like building or fixing things." Volunteers at the Mercy Nursing services are supported throughout their time volunteering.
"We enjoy doing social things with our volunteers such as lunches, we like to give back to them for their time and effort," Volunteer Coordinator Karen Maloney continued.
"We have lots of different roles at the nursing home for volunteers depending on their skills, interests and hobbies."
"What we ask of our volunteers at Mercy is just a couple of hours a week, it's not a big commitment."
For more information contact Karen Maloney on 0417 315 821.
What we ask of our volunteers at Mercy is just a couple of hours a week, it's not a big commitment
- Karen Maloney, Volunteer Coordinator
