Living with a life-limiting illness can be isolating, especially in regional and rural communities. Our Country Palliative Care Volunteer Visitors provide companionship, connection and social support to people receiving palliative care in their own homes.
Sometimes, the most meaningful support comes from simply spending time together.
Whether it’s sharing a cup of tea, chatting about life, working on a crossword puzzle, looking through old photographs, playing cards, or simply sitting and listening, our volunteers help reduce loneliness and provide moments of connection and comfort.
What is a Palliative Care Volunteer Visitor?
A Palliative Care Volunteer Visitor is a trained community volunteer who visits people receiving palliative care to provide social connection and companionship.
Our volunteers do not provide personal care, medical support, transport or household services. Instead, they offer something equally valuable: friendship, conversation and a caring presence.
Volunteer visits are tailored to each person’s interests, preferences and needs.
Who can receive visits?
The program is available to people who:
- Are receiving palliative care services
- Live in a regional, rural or remote area of South Australia
- Would benefit from regular social connection and companionship
- Are living at home or in a home-like setting
Where is this available?
This program is commencing in 2026, as part of the Palliative Care Volunteering SA program, led by Palliative Care SA in collaboration with Volunteering SA&NT, Northern Volunteering SA and Southern Volunteering SA and supported by funds from the SA Government.
Stage 1: Eyre and Fleurieu region
Stage 2: Flinders and Copper Coast region
We hope to make it statewide soon, please contact us if you would like to help us
How Palliative Care Volunteer Visitors can help
Palliative Care Volunteer Visitors can:
- Share a cup of tea and a conversation
- Listen to stories and life experiences
- Play cards, board games or complete puzzles
- Enjoy crosswords, crafts or hobbies together
- Read aloud from books, newspapers or magazines
- Provide companionship during periods of social isolation
- Offer a friendly and supportive presence
Every visit is different, but each one focuses on helping people feel connected, valued and less alone.
Become a Palliative Care Volunteer Visitor
Do you have a few hours to spare each month and enjoy connecting with people?
Our Volunteer Visitors come from all walks of life. They are compassionate, reliable and enjoy spending time with others. Full training, support and ongoing guidance are provided.
As a Volunteer Visitor, you can make a meaningful difference simply by being present.
One conversation. One visit. One connection at a time.
How do i refer my palliative care clients to the Country Palliative Care Volunteer Vistor Program?
If you know someone receiving palliative care who would benefit from regular social connection and companionship, a referral to the Country Palliative Care Volunteer Visitor Program is simple.
Referrals to the Country Palliative Care Volunteer Visitor Program can only be made by a participant’s palliative care team.
If you feel a person may benefit from regular companionship and social connection, the first step is to discuss the program with their palliative care service.
Referral and Volunteering Process
- Talk to the participant and their family about whether they would like a Palliative Care Volunteer Visitor.
- Discuss the referral with the participant’s palliative care team.
- The palliative care team submits a referral to the Country Palliative Care Volunteer Visitor Program.
- A Volunteer Local Liaison will contact you or your carer by phone to learn more about your interests, preferences and suitability for the program. They will also email further information about the program and a copy of the consent form for review before the first visit.
- We will carefully match you with a trained Volunteer Visitor, where available in your local area.
- Your Volunteer Local Liaison will attend the first visit with your matched Volunteer Visitor. During this visit, introductions are made, the consent form is completed, and together you’ll discuss a suitable visit schedule and the types of activities you may enjoy during future visits.
- Before each visit, your Volunteer Visitor will call or send a text message to confirm you are home and expecting the visit. We understand that appointments, family visits and changing circumstances can arise, so flexibility is an important part of the program.
- During each visit, your Volunteer Visitor will make a brief entry in your Volunteer Visitor Book so your family, carers and health care team know they have visited. Don’t worry, volunteers only record that the visit occurred and a few dot points about the activities undertaken, such as having a chat, sharing a cup of tea or completing a crossword puzzle together. We see Volunteer Visitors as part of your wider circle of care, and these notes can help spark meaningful conversations with your family, friends and health care team about the connections and activities that are important to you.
Can I donate to support this program?
Absolutely! There are a number of ways you can help bring companionship, connection and community to people receiving palliative care in country South Australia.
Donate:
Your donation helps us recruit, train and support Volunteer Visitors, ensuring people living with a life-limiting illness can access regular companionship and social connection close to home.
https://palliativecaresa.org.au/donations/
Fundraise
Whether it’s a morning tea, community event, workplace fundraiser or personal challenge, every dollar raised helps support Country Palliative Care Volunteer Visitors to make meaningful connections with participants across regional South Australia.
https://palliativecaresa.org.au/fundraising/
Become a Corporate Partner
Partner with us to make a lasting impact in your local community. Corporate partnerships can include financial support, sponsorship, workplace fundraising, volunteering opportunities or in-kind contributions that help strengthen and grow the program.
https://palliativecaresa.org.au/corporate-partners-and-sponsors/
Why Your Support Matters
A simple visit can brighten someone’s day, reduce feelings of loneliness and remind them they remain connected to their community. Your support helps ensure Volunteer Visitors can continue providing friendship, conversation and companionship to those who need it most.
Together, we can help ensure no one faces the palliative care journey alone. 🧡
Donate. Fundraise. Partner with us. Make a difference today.