The St John Community Care Branch provides programs that assist members of the community in need. Members of the Branch offer help on a voluntary basis to those in the community who are experiencing special difficulties because of their age, infirmity, isolation or other facts restricting their capacity to lead a normal life.

An hour per fortnight visiting an aged care facility resident, or providing time whenever you can make a world of difference to someone in need. St John is currently seeking caring members of the community who are interested in Volunteering to help brighten someone's life.

If you are interested in joining the Community Care Branch email communitycare@stjohnvic.com.au

Programs include:

• Communications
• Needle and Thread
• Visiting Friends
• Friends for Older People
• Driving Program
• Home Support
• Hospital Support

Communications

An emergency service which covers the entire state of Victoria, St John and its Volunteers rely heavily upon radio based communications.

St John has Communications Centres in Mt Waverley and in rural centres such as Bendigo, which are staffed by Volunteers, and manage the St John Victoria radio network. The radio network is used in the day-to-day management of St John Divisions and emergency activities such as bushfires.

The provision of this network means that field units are always in contact with a St John Regional Communications Centre. Ensuring that St John personnel are always in contact with their team members and other Victorian Emergency Service Divisions.

St John is always looking for more Volunteers to help with the radio network.

To request more information email: communitycare@stjohnvic.com.au

Needles and Thread

The Needles and Thread program sew items for people in the international community - from head scarves for chemotherapy patients to neo-natal wear to knee blankets for older people to calico dolls. The items created in this program, are used in community based hospitals or homes for the benefits of residents. Some of this items include:

• Calico Dolls - these are used by children to help identify medical problems to the health professional, or can be used by the health profession to demonstrate procedures on children. These dolls are also used by the children to express their feelings and moods and people with communication, psychiatric or psychological problems. The dolls are also of comfort to older people suffering from dementia or mental distress.
• Hats & Nightcaps / Beanies and Berets - these are made in a variety of different styles for patients suffering from hair loss after chemotherapy.
• Gloves and Woollen Slippers - used by elderly patients who need considerable body warmth to assist recovery after a major illness or operation.
• Cardigans, Bonnets and other Baby Clothing - used in the neo-natal clinics for premature babies. We also produce baby clothing for mothers of new babies who face financial difficulties.
• Squares for Rugs and Knee Warmers - for elderly patients or residents for whom folded blankets are too heavy.

Needles and Thread Volunteers either work by themselves at home or as part of a team and their involvement in the program can be matched to their particular skills.

To request more information email: communitycare@stjohnvic.com.au

Visiting Friends

This program involves both visitors and residents of Supported Residential Services in a variety of activities, and has been developed in conjunction with the Department of Human Services. Some of these programs include:

• Visiting
• Going on outings
• Travelling to appointments
• Reading
• Craft activities
• Having coffee and a chat
• In house group activities
• Musical activities

Residents may range in age from 30 to 100. They may be aged and frail, others may be active, some may have a psychiatric or mobility disorder. The only skills required are a willingness to provide companionship and a desire to enhance someone's life.

To request more information email: visitingfriends@stjohnvic.com.au

Friends for Older People

The Friends for Older People program aims to improve the qualify of life of residents in Commonwealth Government supported aged-care facilities, assist residents to maintain their independence, enhance social contacts and minimise isolation from the community.

No special training, qualifications or expertise is needed, just a willingness to provide companionship to an older person through a practical, well-structured program. We would like to hear from you if you can find an hour out of every fortnight and would like to know more about this community visitor's scheme.

To request more information email: communitycare@stjohnvic.com.au

Driving Program

Driving Program Volunteers assist in transporting people to appointments, organised outings, community facilities and even shopping. Volunteers may choose to be available only on days nominated by you; on a weekly basis; occasionally; on an 'as needs' basis.

No special skills are needed to assist other than a current driver's licence and a willingness to help people in need.

To request more information email: visitingfriends@stjohnvic.com.au

Home Support

The Home Support is a program where isolated communities band together to provide local support to members of the community who can not meet the normal demands of their household due to a temporary disability.

This may include:

• Assisting with dressing
• Shopping
• Collecting and taking children to and from school
• Assisting with transport to medical appointments
• Minor household chores

Each group is self-managed with support from St John, and is ideal for local philanthropic and service groups to organise and manage, although assistance will be given to form a group in a local community.

All Volunteers undergo a strict Reference Check along with a Commonwealth Police Check, and are trained and controlled by a local management board.

For further information contact: communitycare@stjohnvic.com.au

Hospital Support

Volunteers assist at a local selected hospital with the provision of companionship and moral support to patients and their families during their stay in hospital. The areas within a hospital that may be serviced include:

• Emergency
• Surgical and Medical
• Day Surgery Centre
• Paediatric
• Chemo-therapy and Dialysis Rooms
• Maternity

Volunteers receive full training and orientation and provide voluntary support on a rostered program based on need and availability.

Further information may be obtained from: communitycare@stjohnvic.com.au

The Community Care Branch of St John Ambulance is a developing arm of St John Victoria which provides support to the community, and is willing to consider any role in which a local community need is identified and can be supported by Volunteers.