Rebecca’s natural progression to helping others

Rebecca is one of a number of recreational officers at Metro North’s community-based bedded facilities who enjoy bringing fun, joy and companionship to many of our patients and residents.

“It’s about getting people out and about and moving with entertaining activities, and being there for the patients, trying to make a difference and having a chat,” Rebecca said.

“As a reacreational officer, I see the patients every day and get to know them well.”

In her role at Zillmere Residential Transition Care, Rebecca also goes above and beyond as a volunteer manager who supports facility volunteers to connect and build relationships with the patients and their families.

“Having volunteers at Zillmere with different backgrounds and experiences is very important,” Rebecca said.

“Those different experiences may trigger some memories of our patients and gives them some common interests and someone different to talk to while they are recovering.”

Each year, around 400 elderly patients are cared for at Zillmere Residential Transition Care, accessing additional therapies and allowing them the extra time to recover so they can return home after an admission to hospital.

Rebecca has been a recreational officer for five years now at Zillmere and Brighton Health Campus, two of which she was voted the Community and Oral Health (COH) Recreational Officer of the Year.

Interestingly, she was also a volunteer at COH for a short period before finding a natural pathway into becoming a reacreational officer after completing a Certificate in Aged Care.

She has spent three years a Zillmere Residential Transition Care.

Each month our COH volunteers spare around 300 hours to provide a guiding and kind voice to our patients and residents, and their families.

Find out more about the Community and Oral Health Volunteer Program.