Our Visitor Service provides companionship to people over 65 who are lonely and would like a regular visit from a friendly volunteer. We aim to match people with volunteers who live in the same area and have similar interests.
Our volunteers visit for about an hour each week. They are keen to spend time with an older person and tell us that they enjoy their visits and that they benefit and learn from the experience. Most visits will be a chance for a chat but some people enjoy doing an activity together such as a puzzle or crossword.
If you decide that you would like a visitor, your local Visiting Service coordinator will come to see you at home, to get to know you and find out about your interests. They’ll then match you with a carefully chosen, trained volunteer who will visit you for about an hour each week.
We will keep in touch with you and your visitor to make sure you’re both enjoying your visits. If there’s ever a problem, we’ll work with you to put it right.
If you’re feeling lonely and would like a visitor, then call us on 04 499 6646 to speak with one of our Visiting Service Coordinators.
If you would like to volunteer to visit an older person in your community, please check out our volunteering page for more information.
If you would like to refer someone to this service, please fill in our referral form by clicking on the blue button below.
A Visitor Service client’s daughter said recently: “Thank you so much for organising a volunteer to visit Mum. She really enjoys her visits and it has made such a difference to her overall happiness and wellbeing. I am seeing a much more upbeat mother again. I am so grateful to you and to the volunteer for her kindness.”