Home and Community Care (HACC) volunteers
MEDIA RELEASE - Home and Community Care (HACC) volunteers
May 2015
The Shire of Manjimup's Home and Community Care (HACC) delivers services across Manjimup, Pemberton and Northcliffe, and into Bridgetown, to enable its eligible clients to remain independent at home, and in the community.Services include help with light housekeeping, laundry, personal care, meal preparation, home maintenance, gardening, respite care and social support.Volunteers are a vital component of the HACC team and the Shire is calling upon community members to become a part of that pool of volunteers.
"Volunteering can be very rewarding and also creates cohesion within the community," said Shire President Wade DeCampo, "particularly when a couple of hours a week, or a few days a month, can make an enormous difference in someone else's life."
The areas of HACC that most require volunteers are for meals on wheels and for driving clients to and from appointments. "Anybody who holds a C-class licence and is willing to drive clients to out of town medical appointments can become a driver," Cr DeCampo said.
"Some HACC clients are not well enough to drive themselves, don't have someone to drive them and there are restrictions to them using public transport as that often means additional cost for taxis and overnight accommodation," explained Cr DeCampo. New Volunteers will be provided with training, an 'F-extension' on their licence, and a HACC motor vehicle. They also have the flexibility to volunteer regularly, occasionally, or once in a while.
"Volunteers are an essential part of HACC in providing services to the community over and above the services for which they are funded. The services provided by HACC volunteers are imperative to meeting the growing needs of our ageing population."
"HACC volunteers meet new people, explore new places, gain work experience, and make a difference to the lives of our loved ones which has an impact on our own lives."
For further information or to register your interest in becoming a volunteer, please contact the Shire of Manjimup Home and Community Care (HACC) on 97771455.
-ENDS-
Authorised by Andrew Campbell, Chief Executive Officer, Shire of Manjimup.
Contact: 9771 7777
Contact Gina Nieuwendyk, Public Relations Officer, Shire of Manjimup
Contact: 9771 7777
Contact for comment: Wade DeCampo, Shire President.
Contact: 0427 094 081
