Availability: Flexible Time involved: (minimum) 1-2 hours per week Ongoing long-term position (minimum 12-month commitment) Must be able to commit to making weekly calls to clients on a regular basis Any day of the week (including weekends) Volunteering from your own home, you will need to have access to a phone Statement of voluntary service available after 12 months Commitment to participate in mandatory training and e-learning modules (approximately 1 hour per month) Why Choose to volunteer with Red Cross? You can help improve lives and create a positive impact in your community, It is an opportunity to enhance your skills and knowledge and gain new experiences, and You’ll be helping Red Cross to support older and vulnerable people across Australia through a range of volunteer based programs. The program Social connection is vital for overall well-being, particularly as we age. Telechat is a phone-based social service designed for older Australians who live alone or have minimal social contact. Telechat pairs participants for a weekly or fortnightly call with a volunteer based on shared interests, backgrounds and preferences. While Telechat focuses on social connection rather than welfare checks, we will follow up with family or carers if a call isn’t answered. By offering phone-based support, consistency and genuine conversations, Telechat brings community into the home, one call at a time. The opportunity We are looking for warm, dependable volunteers who possess strong conversational skills and the ability to relate to and empathise with a diverse range of older individuals, including those from various cultural backgrounds and life experiences. Key Requirements & Your Commitment: Be willing to join a nationwide team delivering social inclusion program within Aged and Community Care. Possess excellent conversational skills, with the ability to listen actively and quickly build trust and rapport. Engage in conversation and activities that are appropriate to the client or group. Respect the privacy, rights, and dignity of clients and maintain confidentiality with respect to information obtained during the delivery of service. Utilise appropriate digital systems and follow established guidelines for call handling and record-keeping. Maintain clear professional relationships and respect clear boundaries to safeguard the well-being of the client and yourself. Participate in mandatory learning and development to keep your knowledge, skills, and practices up-to-date in the aged and community care sector. Commit to upholding the principles outlined in the Aged Care Code of Conduct and any subsequent updates. Demonstrate cultural sensitivity by respecting diverse backgrounds and ensuring that all interactions are inclusive and free from discrimination. Red Cross will ensure you have training, ongoing support and access to other opportunities within the world’s largest humanitarian network. The impact As a Telechat volunteer, you’ll provide more than conversation—you will offer companionship, routine, and a sense of belonging. Your calls will help reduce loneliness, reinforce independence, and bring peace of mind to both clients and their families. In return, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from their unique history, gain meaningful insights into peoples lived experiences, and experience the profound satisfaction of brightening someone’s day, and who knows, it may even brighten yours! You’ll be part of the Red Cross Aged & Community Care team that works to support older and vulnerable people across Australia through a range of volunteer-based programs. Application requirements: All volunteers will be required to undertake a National Police Check, which will be organised through Red Cross. Statutory Declaration to be completed if you have been a citizen or permanent resident of a country other than Australia after turning 16 years of age. Further information To find out more about this opportunity please contact the Aged and Community Care Volunteer Assistance Team on 1300 559 992 or email at agedcarevolunteers@redcross.org.au. Thank you for considering volunteering at Red Cross. We also have great career opportunities, please visit our website https://www.redcross.org.au/careers/