At 88, Valmy brings energy, caring and a strong belief in the value of connection. After a busy life in business, raising a family and volunteering with children and adult learners earlier on, she’s again ready to make a difference with Advocare’s volunteer program.
“I’ve got energy. I want to get back into it again,” Valmy says. She was drawn to supporting older people who may feel lonely or have family living far away. “I feel I fill a gap because I am able to make people laugh a bit, and I get on with people easily,” she says.
Valmy began volunteering following the sale of a successful business. After a couple of years, she began to recognise the need to discover a new purpose. This moment came when a local the primary school was looking for volunteers. She signed up and really enjoyed listening to students read, offering encouragement and praise for several years, before shifting to another volunteer role helping non-English speaking adults improve their English through local council-based language classes.
For Valmy, volunteering has always offered something simple but powerful: satisfaction. Her desire to help is also shaped by her family’s experience. Her Italian-born parents arrived in Australia as teenagers, speaking very little English and worked hard to build a life despite many societal challenges. Valmy clearly recalls experiencing prejudice at school, and those memories strengthened her determination to encourage people in a similar situation who needed extra support.
Sharing inspirational moments
Valmy’s guiding philosophy is, “Work hard at what you do, be happy with what you do, and be kind to people because it comes back to you.” She also believes people should appreciate what they have and hold close the love and connection in their lives. With the recent passing of her husband, Valmy’s drive to reconnect purposefully with others through Advocare’s Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme is both timely and very welcome.
To anyone considering volunteering but unsure as to whether they’re ready, Valmy’s advice is:
“Start small and find the role that suits you. There’s so much room for volunteering today.”
She adds, “It’s just nice to interact with people because they’ve always got a story to tell.”
Through the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme, volunteers like Valmy offer companionship, conversation and genuine connection. In return, they often will discover new stories, friendships and a renewed sense of purpose. For just an hour a fortnight, volunteering with Advocare could be the beginning of something meaningful.
Interested? Find out more here.
