As a Volunteer Biographer, your support will change lives and in the process change your life. Make a difference today and add purpose to your life while brightening someone else’s life.

The Biography Program supports volunteers to engage in work that is meaningful, highly rewarding, productive and fun, and that promotes a shared sense of community belonging and connection.

What does a Biographer do? Volunteer Biographers will engage with clients and residents encouraging them to share their story through active listening and prompting. Stories will be recorded, transcribed and then published. This program will provide a valuable and engaging program for volunteers who are interested in learning new skills, hearing stories and are ideally placed to engage deeply in this type of work.

This pleasurable and productive activity will improve psychological and spiritual wellbeing and provide clients and residents with the opportunity and space to think about their life. Reminiscing increases meaning making and helps to maintain hope.

What skills do you need? While there are some highly desirable skills required for a Volunteer Biographer to have, you will receive education that gives you clear guidance on your role and how to manage your work appropriately.

As a starting point, ask yourself if you have:

• the ability to listen carefully
• a passion for life stories
• good communication skills
• effective writing skills
• the ability to learn how to record, transcribe and edit.

How can I get involved? We invite you to get in touch if you would like to know more about this program. As a biographer you will be asked to attend a one-day education session so that you can be fully equipped to engage in this important aspect of care. Following education and selection you will then be required to set aside some time each week for 6-10 weeks. You will then be connected with a suitable client or resident and together undertake the process of biography.