Retired radiographer Barbara Jeffrey may call herself a “one-eyed Collingwood supporter” but she didn't need Xray vision to realise how rewarding being a volunteer at Uniting AgeWell Noble Park Community would be.
And with National Volunteering Week from 17-23 May, it's time to thank Barbara and the many other volunteers at Uniting AgeWell who devote their time and energy to improving the lives of our residents and clients.
Choosing to volunteer at Noble Park Community was an easy choice for Barbara, who has very strong ties to the site. Her mother was a volunteer at the aged care facility, her late dad (a doctor) treated many of the residents before becoming a resident himself when he got older, and now her sister, Dr Catherine, looks after many of the residents.
Barbara started volunteering at Noble Park Community in 2013 when she retired after 40 years in the medical imaging industry.
And, just as she has done all her life, she put her best foot forward and gave her volunteering role the best shot she could. She went back to study and gained a Certificate IV in Leisure and Health, as well as Food Handling, and came away with an award for being an outstanding student!
And Barbara says she enjoys talking to the residents as well as running activities for them like exercise classes, barbeques lunches, winter soup kitchens, word games, billiards, happy hours, gardening and taking them on bus outings.
She has also done fundraising with the lifestyle staff through stalls and raffles to buy billiard tables for the facility, planters on the balconies and more.
"I feel very privileged that the residents allow me into their home and are always happy to see me," Barbara says. "I love seeing their smiling faces and the joy they experience when they are partaking in an activity that I run."
Barbara says she gains "much happiness and fulfilment" through her volunteering work.
Her hobbies include looking after her animals, including a dog, cat, cattle and a pony, cooking, live theatre, gardening and AFL.
"Yes I am a one-eyed Collingwood supporter, which the residents often rib me about," she laughs.
There are many volunteering opportunities at Uniting AgeWell – just check our website https://unitingagewell.org/get-involved/volunteering or phone 1300 783 435 for details.