City of Rockingham volunteer Lynette Amm said she finds her role rewarding and it gives her the flexibility she needs.
Camera IconCity of Rockingham volunteer Lynette Amm said she finds her role rewarding and it gives her the flexibility she needs. Credit: Supplied/Elle Borgward

Voluntary lifeline for elderly

Staff ReporterWeekend Kwinana Courier

But not being able to find a job need not mean not being able to hold down a fulfilling role as a volunteer.

When Lynette Amm completed a Tafe course 15 years ago and couldn’t find a job, she answered a City of Rockingham advertisement calling for volunteers and has been offering her time ever since.

‘I originally volunteered three days a week, but now I’m doing four days a week and have been volunteering for 15 years,’ she said.

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Mrs Amm provides support to the City’s community development department where, among her duties, she is the volunteer co-ordinator.

She makes welfare calls to senior citizens to make sure they’re OK, sends condolence cards when they lose a spouse and covers a range of other duties to help keep older members of the community feeling connected.

Connecting with senior citizens and being someone they can rely on to be there is something Mrs Amm said she finds fulfilling, and that the role provided her with the flexibility she needed in life.

‘The most rewarding part, I think, is meeting people and helping senior citizens in the community in some way,’ she said. ‘Some have not got relatives or next of kin in WA, or don’t have a lot to look forward to, so it’s great to be that person they do look forward to talking to each day because they appreciate the contact.’

The only downside, she said, was a lack of others willing to volunteer their time. ‘It is very rewarding putting back in and it would help if we had more people, which we are always on the lookout for,’ Mrs Amm said.

Anyone interested in a volunteer role should contact the City of Rockingham.