Pur-Sue your passion

Sue Hampson has been a volunteer at Sandpiper Lodge Residential Care since 2011, and she says volunteering in aged care has many benefits.

She currently volunteers once a week by helping out in the on-site Kiosk, and said she’s proud to be a volunteer with Southern Cross Care.

"I find volunteering very rewarding, and I love coming to Sandpiper for the smiles, warmth and time I get to spend with so many beautiful people,” Sue said.

"I also enjoyed volunteering in the Christmas Stall last year where residents bought gifts that were made at Sandpiper for their family and friends."

She started volunteering after being asked by a friend, and said she particularly enjoys seeing residents who started living at Sandpiper when she started volunteering.

“Those relationships are very special, if I’m ever unable to come and volunteer for a week because of something like a medical appointment they will know,” Sue said.

“So when I return, they ask me how everything went and how I’m feeling – which is pretty special.”

Sue said she’s learnt many things about people’s lives and how the aged care industry works too.

However, the most notable thing she’s learnt is that residents appreciate her efforts to help them live Better for life through the site’s kiosk.

“In my role I bring things to the kiosk like jewellery, ‘nic nacs’ and scarves, and residents love coming down for a shop,” Sue said.

“It gives them something that they normally wouldn’t be able to access, giving them some extra joy which is what volunteering is all about.”