Volunteers urgently needed for Irvin House
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Do you have a few hours a week, fortnight or month where you could offer your time to assist the elderly residents at NCN Health’s Irvin House and acute patients at Cobram Hospital?
While all residents receive the relevant nursing care from trained staff, who are working under difficult conditions with staff shortages, resulting from COVID-19-related issues and staff burnouts, there is currently a serious need for additional volunteers to assist with residents. Hospitals and aged care facilities around the country are in dire need of extra staff and people willing to offer an hour or two as a volunteer to assist in the wellbeing of our elderly.
Many of these dear people do not have any family to visit them and it is personal contact that most miss out on, yet something everyone needs. Whether it’s just a smile, a quiet chat, the sharing of a cup of tea. looking at books or photographs, doing a puzzle, playing board games or cards, doing craft work or perhaps taking a walk outside in the garden. It is about one-on-one social contact and feeling that somebody cares.
Nobody wants to go into aged care, but the reality is that many don’t have a choice when they live alone and are no longer able to manage.
Both men and women are encouraged to become volunteers and with 27 residents currently at Irvin House, 11 of whom are men, male volunteers would bring a massive change. Whether it is only for one hour or two, once a week or fortnight or even monthly, your time would be greatly appreciated. Of course, if you can offer more, the residents will love you for it.
You can assist in resident and patient activities, helping out with craft and games, one-on-one chats, reading with patients and residents and assisting with the ‘mates program’ at meal times. You will be matched to what you enjoy doing.
Two caring Cobram women, Joan Byham and Helena Logan, happily give their time one day a week as volunteers at Irvin House and gain enormous satisfaction from interacting with and assisting residents with whatever they are interested in.
“It’s the satisfaction I get after I have given a day I know the residents appreciate and of the enjoyment I get from being there for them and offering them friendship,” said Joan, who had previously worked for nine years in environmental services at Irvin House before retiring. However Joan soon found she missed the environment at Irvin House and aware there was a great need for volunteers, she returned three years later.
“There are lots of people I know here and the satisfaction I get from knowing I have made life a little better for them, makes it all worthwhile,” added Joan, a keen golfer who had the honour of staying with a former fellow golfer until the lady passed away.
Helena Logan has been a volunteer at both the hospital and Irvin House for the past 15 years and her preparedness to help others was perhaps ingrained from childhood when her parents belonged to the Salvation Army.
“I didn’t want to stop volunteering, I think it’s a genetic inheritance from my parents,” said Helena with a happy smile. This energetic woman has led a very busy life despite undergoing open heart surgery. Helena previously started FoodShare in Cobram, owned several butcher shops and opened the Lime Tree café in Tocumwal.
Adam Sorrenti, a nurse of 15 years and one of four male nurses at Irvin House, is grateful for the volunteers. “Volunteers provide a big benefit to us, particularly when we are very busy, they step in and help out, it’s fantastic,’’ Adam said.
“It was difficult for residents during COVID when they had to keep to their rooms and couldn’t have family or friends visit, now with volunteers back again it is a much happier place.”
A monthly newsletter is available for residents and their families with all the latest happenings and a list of the activities for the month. There is a lot organised for the residents who can elect to join in or not, however volunteers seem to be able to encourage most of them to join in.
If you would like to know a little more about the roles of a volunteer, please contact NCN Health volunteer co-ordinator Jacquie Hughes, who can be found at the Cobram Hospital each Wednesday or at Numurkah Hospital. She can be contacted on 5862 0598. It is Jacquie’s role to attract new volunteers and match them where they can best assist and where they feel comfortable and would welcome any inquiries.
** Volunteers are required to undergo a police check which is done by NCN, have a flu vaccination and show proof of their COVID vaccination record. You will attend a one-off training day and have an opportunity to meet with other volunteers.
Trivia night for Lalalty Hall
The Lalalty Hall will host a Trivia Night on Wednesday, June 22, beginning at 7.30pm and everyone is encouraged to come along for a great night.
You have one week to study up on your local and general knowledge for a night that’s bound to be great fun.
Cost is $10 per person which includes a delicious hot and cold supper and soft drinks are available for purchase. However, it’s BYO alcohol.
Get a table together, test your knowledge, enjoy a hilarious night with friends and perhaps earn some bragging rights.
The Lalalty Hall is situated on the corner of Nolans and Berrigan Rds, about seven minutes north of Barooga on the Barooga/Berrigan Rd.
All money raised from the night will go towards maintenance of the hall.
Call Marcia today on 0427 800 516 and book your table.
Cobram Tigers young gun Eamon Hyde has won selection into the Victorian 12 and under state side.
Eamon will represent his state in Adelaide later this year at the Australian Carnival.
Eamon is the son of Anthony and Mary Hyde.
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