Irene: Are you happy you decided to volunteer? If so, why?
Gaynor: I am really happy because I've got a lovely new friend in you. You're my first friend in Adelaide.
Irene: Hi.
Gaynor: Hi, Irene.
Irene: How lovely to see you. It's lovely to have you bouncing in. You open the door and I think, "it's her."
Gaynor: Yeah.
Irene: That's good.
Gaynor: And you'd light up, and then I'd light up.
Irene: Yeah.
Gaynor: Yeah.
Narrator: Gaynor is an Aged Care Volunteer Visitor.
Gaynor: What do you want to do today?
Irene: Go around through the gardens. I love the gardens.
Gaynor: Oh, that'd be great.
Irene: I love the gardens here.
Gaynor: Okay.
Irene: And there's a lot coming out in bloom now 'cause of the weather.
Narrator: After retiring and moving to Adelaide, Gaynor felt cut off from her friends and social network, until she started visiting Irene.
Irene: Oh, they're beautiful, aren't they?
Gaynor: Actually, it does smell beautiful, doesn't it?
Irene: You can put them in my hair.
Gaynor: When I first met you, I just immediately liked you. I just felt a kinship with you, so yeah.
Irene: Oh, thank you. Oh, that's lovely.
Gaynor: I love coming to see you, Irene.
Irene: I haven't got many people that come and see me.
Narrator: Like many older people, Irene has lost her mobility and social connections. Having a regular visitor makes all the difference in the daily life of elderly recipients and volunteers alike.
Irene: Just keep your eyes on the road.
Gaynor: The front's beautiful, too.
Irene: And don't run me in a post.
Gaynor: Into… [Laughs] I won't run you in a post. We need you for your birthday.
How old will you be?
Irene: 94.
Gaynor: That is incredible. I'd like your wrinkle cream.
Irene: And I've still got a few more days.
Gaynor: At home, I've got a toilet seat, a gold toilet seat, for being a gutter putter, so that's how bad I am.
Irene: Oh, you got it in.
Gaynor: Oh.
Irene: Yes.
Gaynor: I do have family here, like my grandchildren, but I don't know anyone else. And I know during sort of lonely times in my life, I've done other volunteer work and I know that I'm my happiest when I help people.
Irene: Yeah.
Gaynor: This is extra special because it's one-to-one, and you sort of make a new friend, and it enriches me. Like, I'm not helping you, we're helping each other
Irene: Yeah.
Gaynor: Through laughter and friendship. I'd really encourage other people to do it.
Narrator: We're looking for aged care volunteer visitors in your area. Go online and sign up today.
Gaynor joined as an aged care volunteer visitor when she retired and moved to Adelaide. She and Irene have become great friends through their regular visits. They open about how their friendship has enriched both their lives.