GardenMates

GardenMates Volunteers support SPDL’s mission of assisting elderly and isolated residents and people with a disability living in the of the City of Port Phillip.

GardenMates Volunteers help enable independent living by visiting a client on a regular or occasional basis and assisting them with light gardening activities to maintain and enhance their garden.

    • Encourage clients to assist you with light gardening tasks, such as weeding, planting, or pruning plants and shrubs (no mowing or use of power tools required).

    • Provide companionship and a friendly, courteous service to clients.

    • Notify the Volunteer Program Coordinator (VPC) of the start and finish time for each visit on the day and report your hours every month.

    • Advise the VPC of any variation or change in arrangements.

    • Report any concerns, inappropriate behaviour or incident immediately to the VPC.

    • Comply with SPDL Policies and Procedures.

    • Ability to work at client’s pace and make them feel safe and confident.

    • Efficient time management and ability to establish priorities.

    • Understanding of issues affecting older people, and those with a disability.

    • Coordinate and confirm visits and accommodate changes, if required.

    • Maintain a calm manner and communicate concerns in a clear way.

    • Reliability and responsibility in undertaking the role.

    • Pleasant manner, patience, problem-solving ability, and dependability.

    • Experience or interest in gardening.

    • Experience or enthusiasm in encouraging others to be active.

    • To perform regular or occasional shifts as agreed between the client and volunteer, for a minimum of at least 6 months (1 – 1.5 hours p/w).

    • Successfully complete a national police check.

    • Apply for and obtain a Working with Children Check.

    • Induction and training on the SPDL policies and procedures and volunteer role.

    • Ongoing support and assistance from the Volunteer Program Coordinator.

    • Additional training opportunities for all volunteers throughout the year.

    • Demonstrates empathy for older people and people with disabilities.

    • Inclusive and non-judgmental, without discriminating against people from different cultures, race, religions, or sexualities. Any discriminatory or abusive behaviour will not be tolerated.

    • Clear national police check.

    • Obtain a Working with Children Check.

  • For more information, please contact our Volunteer Program Coordinator, info@spdl.org.au