When it comes to helping vulnerable South Australians, there are arguably few volunteers as dedicated as Briony Lia.

Briony has volunteered with the Community Visitor Scheme (CVS) for the past three years, following a 25-year career as a mental health nurse and nursing lecturer.

“The aim of the scheme is to promote the wellbeing, dignity, safety and rights of people who are often marginalised and vulnerable,” Briony says.

“These are people living with a mental health condition receiving care from metropolitan and rural mental health services and those living with a disability in a state-run disability service.

“When taking the step to retire my plan was to do volunteer work. Looking at my skills and knowledge, the CVS was where I believed I could offer my time and be of benefit.”

Release of report showing true nature of volunteering

Briony’s comments come as the country marked National Volunteer Week in May, and the release of a report revealing the significance of volunteering for South Australia.

The inaugural State of Volunteering South Australia 2023 report - coordinated by Volunteering SA&NT and supported by the Department of Human Services - revealed South Australians’ volunteering efforts reaped a net return on investment of $29.3 billion for the state last year with every dollar invested through volunteering returning $5.20 to the community.

As a CVS volunteer, Briony says the visits she conducts are a combination of mental health and disability, always with a colleague, and can last between one and two hours depending on the size of the service.

“For clients with disability, we are always aware this is their home and ask permission for things such as entering private areas like bedrooms and bathrooms, and to look in the fridge and pantry. We meet staff, clients and family and ask about their activities/outings, feeling safe, food of their choice and variety, and if it is appropriate culturally and health wise.

“Across mental health we are inspecting much the same - are clients feeling safe and heard, what orders are they being treated under, food environment activities, and family involvement.”

Getting more than you give

Briony credits volunteering as giving her purpose and being good for her wellbeing. For anyone considering volunteering, she suggests giving it a go.

“I am able to contribute to the community in particular the area where my career spanned and I can share my skills and knowledge with the CVS service, clients and my volunteer colleagues,” she says.

“CVS is for a person who is compassionate about the welfare of people with disability and people receiving mental health care.

“I find reward in being a trusted person for clients to communicate with and enjoy advocating on their behalf.

“If you are able to advocate by listening to their story and giving them a voice you can influence service provision and change, as well as changing something during an inspection that may seem simple like asking for a meal or drink for a client who has been waiting in an Emergency Department for hours through to bigger issues of safety.”