Visiting the neighbours: JoCare marks 10 years of companionship and care

What began as a small parish initiative to combat loneliness and isolation has grown into a decade-long mission of companionship and care. As JoCare celebrates 10 years since its first home visit, the program continues to expand its outreach, deepen its impact and build meaningful partnerships, proving that a simple act of kindness can transform lives and communities.

Just over a decade ago, a group of parishioners at St Joseph’s Malvern came together with a mission to help alleviate isolation and loneliness, particularly for older and vulnerable people in their neighbourhood. With the support of the parish priest, a program leader was employed by the parish to bring their vision to fruition. The 10-year anniversary of JoCare’s first in-home visit was celebrated in April this year.

You don’t realise how devastating loneliness is until you look into a person’s eyes and open yourself up to their story.

While similar to a local St Vincent de Paul chapter, JoCare is distinguished by its emphasis on ‘local people serving local people’, with a focus on companionship. John Davies, who was a driving force in establishing this parish ministry, highlights the profound impact of JoCare’s work, saying, ‘Everyone needs a little kindness, especially in their later years of life when it’s easy to become invisible.’ Sharing a powerful insight, he observes, ‘You don’t realise how devastating loneliness is until you look into a person’s eyes and open yourself up to their story.’

John explains that for many, the later years of life can be a ‘time of grieving—for a deceased partner, family living far away, companionship, loss of good health, mobility, or even the ability to drive and easily connect with the community. This can lead to feelings of disconnection from your community, as those that linked you are no longer there.’

As a small parish, we can be proud that the JoCare initiative has touched the lives of local neighbours 5,798 times over the past 10 years.

Addressing the reality of many older isolated people in the neighbourhood, JoCare volunteers offer a smile, a friendly face and a visit, where the focus is on listening and sharing time companionably together. Leanne Ryan, JoCare’s program leader, firmly believes that ‘every act of kindness that JoCare offers to someone makes a difference to their lives and brings society one step closer to being better.’

Leanne also notes the significant social changes that have taken place over the past decades, with families now often living far away and having less time for visits, especially to grandparents. JoCare addresses these challenges by recruiting and training volunteers who are matched with residents in the Stonnington area who need friendship, support and connection.

‘In total, we have about 50 big-hearted volunteers working with JoCare, and we completed just under 1,000 visits and contacts in the 2024 calendar year,’ she says. ‘As a small parish, we can be proud that the JoCare initiative has touched the lives of local neighbours 5,798 times over the past 10 years—it’s an amazing statistic!’

A key collaboration with John Pierce Centre (JPC)

In the past 12 months, JoCare has embarked on a significant collaboration with the John Pierce Centre (JPC) to provide specific support for the Deaf community. This community often faces heightened isolation in senior years, compounded by communication challenges, as members are spread across Melbourne and broader regions, and local events may not be fully accessible. While finding volunteers for the general population is challenging, the need for Auslan (Australian Sign Language)-literate volunteers increases the difficulty.

The partnership leverages JPC’s deep connection to the Deaf community to identify members most in need of companionship and engagement, and to identify potential volunteers. JoCare then provides training for these volunteers. Currently, JoCare has six trained Auslan-literate volunteers, with four actively visiting people and two others in the process of being matched.

Sophie Duncan, Manager of JPC, is enthusiastic about the partnership, explaining that JoCare has been ‘flexible around the geographical requirements so that we are able to support Deaf people from all regions of Melbourne’. She adds, ‘We are just starting out, and the numbers are growing slowly, but we are thrilled to have such a crucial program available to the Deaf.’

Further outreach and the future outlook

Beyond its core visiting program and the JPC collaboration, JoCare’s outreach is expanding. The organisation is working with parishioners from Christ Our Light Parish in Cheltenham to help establish a visiting program in their community.

JoCare also runs Digital JoCare, a program that recently moved to a new venue at the Malvern Library. Operating on Tuesdays during school terms, this free service helps older people navigate technology issues with iPads, mobiles and laptops, and assists with problems like spam and cybercrime. It provides a safe, non-judgemental environment where participants can ask any question without embarrassment.

JoCare can do this vital work thanks to funding from various sources, including the federal government’s Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme, Stonnington Council, Cabrini Australia and private donations. And while JoCare became independent of the parish in 2024, St Joseph’s continues to provide in-kind office space, funding, and support for JoCare. The office, located within the parish buildings, offers continuity with St Joseph’s and a sense of security and permanency for staff, who enjoy the pastoral setting. The Brigidine Sisters are also close neighbours.

John acknowledges the challenges for staff in recruiting volunteers to match with referrals who are seeking companionship, but he remains optimistic, believing that ‘God will provide if we are doing good work.’ He is heartened by the fact that many volunteers continue to participate because they appreciate JoCare’s mission. ‘The future is bright!’ he says.

This collaboration demonstrates the increased positive impact our organisations can make when they work together and address needs in their local communities.

Joshua Lourensz, Executive Director of Catholic Social Services Victoria, of which both JoCare and JPC are long-term members, underscores the importance of such collaborations. ‘This collaboration demonstrates the increased positive impact our organisations can make when they work together and address needs in their local communities,’ he notes. Josh also praises those who have kept this important ministry going, saying , ‘It’s an amazing testament to the staff and volunteers of JoCare to see how they’ve grown over the 10 years, and continue to do so.’