In May we celebrate National Volunteer Week 19-25 May and the contributions our volunteers make to the lives of our residents at Belvedere Aged Care are immense. As revealed in Volunteering Victoria’s 2025 State of Volunteering report, more than 3.3 million Victorians volunteered their time in 2024, and we continue to express our gratitude to the individuals who participate in creating meaningful engagement and developing strong connections with our residents.
Belvedere Aged Care has supported and cared for seniors of diverse cultural backgrounds for decades. We rely on our volunteers, especially those from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, to support our mission of delivering holistic care and prioritising the emotional and mental wellbeing of our residents. Many of our volunteers offer companionship, engaging in in-language conversations and participating in resident outings all, making our Lifestyle activities and events enjoyable for all.
Families engaging in volunteering at Belvedere Aged Care
Young volunteers are also driving change as the highest age group engaged in volunteering across Victoria. Karin Blavo, Belvedere’s Lifestyle Manager, welcomes young people to volunteer with our residents and foster intergenerational connections. “There are so many positive experiences for both young people and our residents to gain through volunteering. Young people can build communication and empathy skills by connecting across generations.” Karin goes on to say, “For many, it’s a transformative experience and provides a strong foundation for future careers in health, nursing or community work.”
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Intergenerational play supports positive interactions for all ages.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw young people participate in letter writing, to now sitting and playing games with our residents. “It’s a two-way gift,” Karin says, “Individuals are empowered, and our Belvedere community is filled with all ages coming together for meaningful connections.”
To find out more about volunteering at Belvedere Aged Care, contact us via email or call (03) 9574 1355.
Read more about the state of volunteering in Victoria visit: https://www.volunteeringvictoria.org.au/