Volunteers play an important role in aged care

Circular Community are reducing the volume by up to 93 per and recycled water, using enrich360 ® Bio-Dehydrators. With VOLUNTEERS PLAY AN not only provide machinery and support but also nd get it back to our farms to help grow more charges the food waste decomposition process through accelerated IMPORTANT ROLE IN AGED CARE dehydration and agitation, reducing the original waste volume by between 80 and 93%. Food waste (meat, fish, , compostable napkins and assorted plateware) is placed inside the dehydration, sterilisation and volume reduction. 8 and 24 hours to complete depending on the size of the unit. The can be run seven days a week. The product from compost or soil enhancer. It also creates reusable

has recently installed an Trained volunteers help hard working care staff to provide residents with quality care. enrich360® E550A food waste biodehydrator which can handle up to 550kg of food waste and compostable items every day. Director of We’re now processing 370-390 kgs of food waste

After 15 years as a volunteer at Peninsula Villages—a The fertiliser output from the machine is used on to water the hospital gardens. The volunteer team is sourced largely through word of mouth not-for-profit aged care provider on the NSW Central enrich360 machinery is available to purchase rent and rent to own and is suitable for the smallest private in the local community or via Volunteering Central Coast. All food waste, café and food Coast—Lynette McKay still gets the same joy she did court wastage. volunteers complete training and undergo thorough police checks when she walked into the facility for the first time. Contact enrich360 Pty Ltd for a free, no obligation video waste assessment and proposal at: before they are inducted and commence on an ongoing basis, It’s not for material reasons—there’s no pay, no prizes, no and are offered the opportunity to take on roles that interest them. ulterior motive. She does it out of love and respect, and for the smiles and laughter it brings.

Accompanied by her playful chihuahuas, Lynette lights up the life of the Villages’ residents through her regular pet therapy sessions. And she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Lynette is one part of a team of almost 90 volunteers who are a vital cog in the Peninsula Villages machine. From meal deliveries, to care assistance, resident leisure, social support and administration, volunteers are involved in every aspect of a resident’s life.

Most recently, volunteers have been supporting residents with making Zoom calls to family members, supporting entry staff with visitation precautions or assisting with socially distanced activities.

The team varies in age, gender, geography and circumstance, but is brought together by the fulfilling nature of the work they do. “There have always been volunteers at Peninsula Villages, certainly since I arrived in June 1991,” said Volunteer Manager Pat Hutch. “The benefits were obvious and many in number—volunteers help to provide company, conversation and socialisation for our residents—so it would’ve been around the year 2000 that we began a true recruitment drive to build a strong team of volunteers, and we haven’t looked back since. “I don’t know where we would be without them; they’re so involved in the day-to-day of the village. Be it preparing and running activites, supporting various Village programs, driving the bus or delivering meals, our volunteers can do it all. “Volunteers at Peninsula Village also support the leisure and lifestyle team with setting up activities such as lawn bowls, bingo, BBQs, the shuffle board, fortnightly snooker games and lunch outings. Our four volunteer bus drivers are also a vital part of the team. “Over the years we have had some wonderful volunteers who have left their mark on not just our residents but the culture of the Village—we’re very lucky to have such wonderful people involved with us.” There are currently 23 male and 63 female volunteers of varied ages at Peninsula Villages, with the youngest just 36 and oldest over 80. There are also many independent living residents, who see the great benefit in giving back to care residents while they can, trained as volunteers.

At Peninsula Villages, everyone—including the volunteers— plays a valuable role in cultivating a positive atmosphere.

The COVID-19 pandaemic has been no different. While they haven’t needed as many volunteers with a reduction in their leisure and lifestyle programs, many volunteers who met health and safety criteria and were fit to work, kept coming in to fulfil their roles as they know how much the residents value their input. ■ Shane Neaves is Chief Executive Officer, Peninsula Villages.

Lynette is one of many valued volunteers who support Australia’s aged care system.

For more information visit www.peninsulavillage.com.au