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MS Plus

Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS)

The ACVVS is funded by the Australian Government and plays a vital role in providing companionship for older people.

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Since 1991, MS Plus has proudly delivered the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS), formerly the Community Visitors Scheme (CVS).

Funded by the Australian Government, the ACVVS provides companionship for older people living in aged care homes or in their own homes with a Support at Home Package (formally known as Home Care Package).
 

MS Plus recruits, trains and supports ACVVS volunteers to visit people one-on-one or in small groups, helping reduce loneliness and social isolation. Visits are open to anyone, not just those living with multiple sclerosis.

The program connects older Australians with caring volunteers, bringing meaning and joy through regular companionship.
 

How does a feeling of isolation occur?

There are many reasons that may give rise to a feeling of isolation such as:

  • Having trouble settling into a new environment
  • Not participating in planned activities
  • Limited or lack of regular contact with friends or relatives
  • An Indigenous, culturally or linguistically diverse background that results in isolation from culture and heritage
  • Isolation from community of identity for LGBTQIA+ people
  • Frailty or impairment that prevents involvement or participation in social or leisure activities

What does a community visitor do?

A community visitor may:

  • Share stories, read or listen to a book
  • Share a hobby, interest or activity
  • Have a cup of tea and a chat
  • Take a walk or go on an outing
  • Enjoy a TV show together
  • Bring their children or the family pet for a visit

What happens next?

Visitors are carefully recruited and matched based on shared interests. Once onboarded – interviewed, screened and trained – they're ready to be paired.

The Program Coordinator attends the first meeting and maintains regular contact to ensure everything runs smoothly.

As the program is funded by the Commonwealth Government, MS Plus manages all screening and training. You simply need to make the visitor feel welcome and advise them of significant issues such as lockdowns, illness or death.

Who do we recruit for?

We recruit community visitors for people in Aged Care Homes or living in their own homes and receiving or waitlisted for a Support at Home (formally known as Home Care Package), including:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  • People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
  • People who live in rural or remote areas
  • People who are financially or social disadvantaged
  • People who are at risk or are homeless
  • Care Leavers (including Forgotten Australians, Former Child Migrants and Stolen Generations)
  • Parents separated from their children by forced adoption or removal
  • The LGBTQIA+ community
  • Veterans

How do we support our visitors?

Our visitors are the backbone of this program. We value our visitors and provide induction training and ongoing support, information and opportunities for optional training.
 

Become an ACVVS volunteer

Who can refer a recipient?

We take referrals from:

  • Individuals (you can refer yourself)
  • Family members or friends
  • Health professionals
  • Aged Care Provider staff members

How to refer a recipient

If you know someone who would benefit from the companionship of a community visitor, you can refer them by filling out the online form below. Alternatively, you can download it and send it to ACVVSAdmin@msplus.org.au and we'll be in touch.

BODY
Referrer details


(e.g. Registered Nurse, etc)





(office no. or mobile)

Type of Visit


 You need to indicate who has given consent to refer this recipient for the 
Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS)


(e.g. family member, the recipient themselves, etc)
Recipients details (the person who will receive the visit)

(e.g. Mr, Ms, etc)









(e.g. Christian, Buddhist, etc)

(e.g. Greek, Cantonese, etc)

(e.g. "recipient's family moved interstate and can't visit regularly")

(e.g. "originally from Guangzhou province in China, immigrating to Australia in 1955...")

(e.g. "worked as a vet in country Victoria up until retirement in 1999...")

(e.g. "avid gardener, enjoy restoring classic Holden cars...")

(e.g. "a family member visits once a week...")

(e.g. "someone to watch Judge Judy with at 3pm...")


Health status
 This information is vitally important for ensuring visitor matching is appropriate.

(e.g. mobility, hearing, eyesight, continence, dementia, challenging behaviour, etc)
Special needs groups
 Note - we are required to ask this question by the Dept. of Social Services*. Information is strictly confidential, it is conveyed to Dept. of Health as anonymous data only.

*As specified under the Aged Care Act 1997
Visitor preferences

(e.g. "can speak Greek", "should have an understanding of Islamic traditions & etiquette" etc)
Home Care Package recipients only


Home address







Emergency contact


(e.g. brother, friend, carer)


(optional, but recommended)

Contact Information

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