Calling out for caring volunteers
Aileen Hayim
Villa Maria Avebury House’s team speaks very highly of their only volunteer, Aileen Hayim, and would like more volunteers to come in and spend time with residents.
Volunteering was an easy choice for Ms Hayim and one she says has “changed her life for the better”.
The Berwick resident was introduced to the not-for-profit aged, disability and education organisation more than two years ago when her stepfather became a resident at Villa Maria’s Berwick aged care facility in Victoria.
“Mum and I were there almost every day so I saw first-hand how he was treated with genuine care and I was quite touched and impressed really. It put my mind at ease because I’d been apprehensive about putting him into care,” she said.
Avebury House, which Ms Hayim’s mother attends, is a day respite service supporting working carers living or caring for someone who is frail aged or has dementia in the southern metropolitan region.
Avebury House team leader, Cathy Kenny, said she would love to attract more people like her.
“Aileen has tremendous compassion for older people and a tremendous one-on-one attitude, so she will spend time doing someone’s nails and personal things like that. She is very well respected and liked by all the guests who attend.”
Now, 18 months later, Ms Hayim visits Avebury House twice per week to help staff take guests on social outings, run in-house arts and crafts, and cooking.
“It’s made a huge difference to my life. I think we’re all designed to help each other out in life anyway, but I also do feel privileged to be there. I would definitely encourage others to volunteer, you get a lot of personal reward from it.”
If you would like to volunteer at Avebury House, call Villa Maria’s volunteering resources team on (03) 9855 7755.
