Volunteers

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life with what we give."

Volunteers generously donate their time and play a vital role at St Vincent's. Volunteering is rewarding and offers a caring, supportive environment, an opportunity to meet new people and most importantly, the chance to contribute to your community by helping others. 

St Vincent’s has a large number of volunteers who are a valued part of the health service team and complement the organisation by supporting staff, patients and family members. Volunteers undertake a range of tasks including administration, providing companionship to isolated, lonely or anxious patients, delivering donated magazines and books to patients, assisting identified patients with their meals, facilitating activities (such as art and craft) and directing visitors throughout St Vincent's. Volunteers wear an identification badge and a volunteers’ vest.

Meet our ‎volunteer Peter Dwyer

Angels volunteers

Angels are specially trained volunteers who provide companionship to patients identified as being at risk of falling. Angels assist with supervision by sitting with patients and reducing anxiety through distraction and diversion (such as reading, doing a puzzle or accompanying on a walk if appropriate).

Angels volunteers have also been trained by Speech Pathology and are able to assist identified patients with their meals. Since its inception in 2003, Angels at St Vincent’s has provided more than 3000 hours of supervision and non-medical support per year to patients. The program has proven a successful strategy in reducing falls. No falls have occurred where an Angel has been present.

Angels are provided with training and orientation to ensure they understand the boundaries of the program and the appropriate limits of their role.