MOREE Care seeks volunteers for its Meals on Wheels and community transport services to help deliver meals and provide local and regional transport for clients.
CEO Michelle Harrison said Moree Care, established in 1995 when in-home aged care, meals on wheels, disability care and community transport were placed under one umbrella, desperately needs drivers.
“We are always seeking new volunteers,” Michelle said.
“The more we have, the better it is for everyone as it lightens the load.”
People receiving Job Seeker payments are eligible to have volunteer hours count towards Centrelink mutual obligation hours, with Centrelink approval.
“We are approved as a volunteer organisation by Centrelink for that purpose,” Michelle said.
“Volunteering is known to be good for the wellbeing of the volunteer as well as the person receiving the volunteer interaction.
“We need more volunteers for meals on wheels deliveries in Moree as well as drivers for our community transport service.
“This involves long distance driving to places like Tamworth, Armidale, Narrabri and Inverell as well as Toowoomba for Mungindi residents,” she said.
Meals on Wheels started in Moree in 1959, two years after Sydney City Council established the iconic service. There are now more than 150 Meals on Wheels services across New South Wales, all manned by volunteers on rotating rosters.
“Our meals on wheels’ volunteers deliver the meals and provide a daily contact with our clients,” Michelle said.
“Volunteers are from within the Moree community. We also have representatives from local businesses and organisations, and we’re always looking for new volunteers.”
Moree Care, funded under the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) to deliver in-home and community aged care services, was previously known as Moree Aged and Disability Services.
“Prior to that, aged care services were delivered by Gwydir HACC-Respite House,” Michelle said.
“We currently have limited availability for services in high demand such as domestic assistance. “However, we can deliver meals on wheels, community transport and group or individual social support, flexible respite and regular welfare checks, by phone or in person.”
Meals on Wheels is provided to older residents with a My Aged Care referral, or if meals are approved in an NDIS Plan. A client contribution is required and varies according to the service type.
“We provide delicious home-cooked meals from our kitchen in Moree, but we need people to deliver them” Michelle smiled.
“Our meals are made in small batches and delivered on the day they are prepared, Monday to Friday. Frozen meals are also available for weekends or public holidays, if needed.”
The Moree community transport service also needs drivers.
Moree Care provides subsidised community transport Monday to Friday.
“Our drivers transport clients within the local region as far as Tamworth, Armidale and Inverell. We also have fuel vouchers for people who prefer to drive themselves,” Michelle said.
People aged over 65 need a My Aged Care referral. Others only need to register with Moree Care. “Our community is considered to be ‘transport disadvantaged’ and community members are eligible for our subsidised transport services because of the lack of public transport,” Michelle said.
“However, people with a Home Care Package or an NDIS plan are not eligible for subsided transport, but we can transport them at full cost if their plan provides sufficient funding.”
Have you got a few hours a week to volunteer with Moree Care?
Call 1300 593113 for more details or email info@moreecare.org.au.
People needing an aged-care referral can call My Aged Care on 1800 200422.
