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National Youth Volunteer Week (10-16 August 2026) celebrates the energy, ideas and impact of young volunteers across Australia.
For Ahmad (23), Lilliana (22) and Olivia (19), volunteering has become more than simply giving back to the community. Through the Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme (ACVVS), each has formed a meaningful friendship with an older person and discovered just how rewarding a simple visit can be.
Finding friendship through volunteering
For Ahmad, volunteering has led to a valued friendship with Robin.
When Ahmad first visited Robin at his aged care home, neither of them knew quite what to expect. Robin spent much of his time watching YouTube videos about woodworking and carpentry, and Ahmad’s knowledge of technology helped break the ice. What started as a conversation about videos soon grew into something much more.
Now, the pair meet fortnightly to share stories, enjoy a chat and, when the weather permits, head out for a coffee together.
Robin, who spent much of his working life building and creating, particularly through woodworking and carpentry, enjoys reminiscing about past projects and sharing stories with Ahmad.
“My visits with Ahmad are great,” Robin says. “He should find a job in aged care because he is just so caring and wonderful at what he does.”
For Ahmad, the friendship has been equally rewarding.
“Volunteering has made a huge difference in my life. It has changed me as a person and given me a real sense of purpose,” he says. “Knowing that I can make a positive difference in someone’s life, even by simply being there to listen, chat and share time together, means so much to me.”
A connection that started with flowers
For Olivia, a Paramedicine student, volunteering has meant building a special friendship with Kathleen, a resident at mecwacare’s Calwell Manor.
From their very first meeting, when Olivia arrived with a beautiful bunch of flowers, the pair hit it off immediately.
During their fortnightly visits, Olivia paints Kathleen’s nails while they chat about life, family and anything else that comes to mind. She enjoys listening to Kathleen’s stories and says getting to know her has given her a new perspective on life.
“I always look forward to seeing her each week, and she also gives some pretty good advice!” Olivia says.
The friendship has been warmly embraced by Kathleen’s family, who are delighted that she has such a caring volunteer in her life.
Making time for what matters
For Lilliana, volunteering has become an opportunity to slow down and focus on human connection.
“Volunteering has given me a greater sense of purpose outside of work, study and my other commitments,” she says. “It has given me the opportunity to slow down and switch off from the stress and constant demands of my daily life.”
During her visits with Bruce at mecwacare’s Jubilee House, Lilliana enjoys talking, listening to some of Bruce’s favourite folk artists and, as she puts it, “solving the world’s problems”.
Over time, she has also come to know Bruce’s family, as well as staff, residents and other visitors at Jubilee House, creating a sense of community that reaches far beyond her regular visits.
While life can be busy, Lilliana encourages other young people to step outside their comfort zone and give volunteering a try.
Building bridges across generations
The experiences of Ahmad, Olivia and Lilliana show that volunteering is about more than giving your time. It’s about building friendships and creating meaningful connections across generations.
This National Youth Volunteer Week, we’re proud to celebrate these young volunteers and the many others who bring companionship, kindness and connection to older people in our communities.
Inspired by their stories? Through the Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme, you can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life while forming a connection that could change your own. Find out how you can get involved and connect with someone in your community.
