Building Bonds Beyond Age Heartwarming Friendships Blossom Through BCA Volunteer Program

Lena Courtney has lived in her Ayr house for 68 years.

It’s where her five children grew up and where her family calls home.

But after Lena’s children left and her husband passed away, she longed for more social interaction and involvement with her community.

That’s where Fiona Tomarchio came into her life, thanks to Burdekin Community Association’s (BCA) Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS).

The ACVVS is a national program funded by the Australian Government allowing community organisations like BCA to improve the quality of life for lonely and isolated people living in residential care or living at home with support from Home Care Packages.

Lena was introduced to Fiona by BCA Volunteer Service Manager Rita Quagliata over four years ago and, since then, a beautiful friendship has blossomed.

“She’s been a wonderful friend,” Lena said of Fiona.

“Having a person like Fiona to talk to is very nice, because we can communicate to one another and that’s something great.

“I can open up to her and Fiona opens up to me; it’s just like being a sister.

“I miss her when she’s gone.”

Fiona became a part of the ACVVS to give back to her community and has established a loving friendship with Lena in the process.

“She has no family present in the Burdekin so, in a sense, she has become part of our family,” Fiona said.

“She’s met all of my family, some of my girlfriends, she’s had coffee with them, we’ve had endless amounts of laughter.

“Lena is a very strong lady and I love that; she has all of her faculties and she’s allowed me into her life.”

In Rita’s 20 years as a Volunteer Service Manager for BCA, she has met amazing, compassionate, caring people and seen many wonderful friendships develop.

When Lena needed someone to visit her, she looked for a suitable match and came across Fiona four years ago.

“Ever since then, their relationship has developed immensely and they’ve got such a special connection and a special bond,” Rita said.

“For Lena, Fiona’s like an extended family member, they’ve become that close.

“Most of our community visitors, they all develop this special bond with the people they visit, it’s just beautiful.”

For Lena and Fiona, their weekly visit often involves going out for lunch, coffee with friends and family or simply a chat and a laugh over a cuppa at home.

For other visitors, spending time with their clients could mean playing cards or board games, working on a joint hobby like gardening, taking a walk, or watching a movie.

“Some people want only an hour a week or an hour a fortnight, but some, once they’ve developed a wonderful relationship, like to spend a couple of hours a week and do more together because they do become very close,” Rita said.

Rita will look at things people might have in common when matching a client with a volunteer and is always looking for friendly, outgoing people who have at least an hour a week to spend with their client.

“With the ACVVS, we have a lot of people like Lena who want visitors, but the problem we have is trying to get volunteers, so I’m constantly promoting the service, looking for people and asking people if they know of someone,” she said.

Fiona recommended volunteering to anyone looking to give back to their community.

“It warms your heart; Lena warms my heart,” she said.

“I think it’s really rewarding, and I think, if you do have some time on hand, give it a go.”

To find out more about the ACVVS, contact Rita Quagliata on 07 4783 3744 or Rita.Quagliata@bcaburdekin.org.au.

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Caption: Lena Courtney and Fiona Tomarchio

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