19 May 2021
Rod Wilkes is a volunteer at Regis Norwood, a retirement living village in Tasmania. Rod has been volunteering his service for a year and became a part of the Regis community, after spending time with a Norwood retirement living resident. He continues spending time with the resident every week, taking him out for lunches and driving him around the countryside or just having a coffee and a chat with him in his unit.
Rod’s typical day involves him delivering daily lunch meals that have been ordered from the Norwood Aged Care Home to the retirement living village residents. He also looks forward to hosting the fortnightly Friday happy hour event in the retirement living village, and occasionally he supports the Village Manager with large resident village social events.
When asked what was it that attracted him to work with the elderly, Rod replied, “I enjoy the interaction with the residents and the Regis staff. The socialisation is good for me as, well as the village residents.” He likes their positive attitude to life.
“I continue to learn from them and enjoy listening to the residents’ stories and vice-versa”
For those wanting to work as a volunteer in retirement living, Rod says that one has to approach it with a positive and common sense attitude. “You will get a great reward of enjoyment from it,” said Rod.
Home to Rod is where he wants to be and where he feels happy, safe and in a comfortable environment surrounded by caring people. Ron also enjoys spending time with his friends.
