"Social isolation among older people is one of the biggest health risks facing Australia.”

The Umbrella Volunteer Visitor Scheme is a national program funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health, that supports volunteer visitors to provide friendship and companionship to isolated seniors from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) backgrounds or Gender Diverse (LGTBI+) living at home or living in Residential Aged Care Facilities throughout the Perth Metropolitan region.

There are various reasons that can lead to people feeling alone and isolated and the volunteer Visitor program aims to improve seniors self-esteem, increase their sense of purpose, maintain and increase independenace and sense of belonging and reduce feeling lonely and isolated. This inturn helps to maintain good emotional and physical health increase longevity of live and develop social connections.

Regular visits from volunteers can help to improve quality of life and help older people feel less isolated.