In Great Company: Aged care program connecting people across generations

A program created to help elderly people deal with social isolation might offer its volunteers as much benefit as its clients. Find out how In Great Company helped this Toowoomba man deal with grief.

Nathan Thomas (left) and Kenneth Dean (right) met each other through the In Great Company program and have become unlikely friends.

Growing up, Nathan Thomas had always been close with his grandparents and when they passed away he struggled to cope with the loss, but since joining a volunteer program his mindset on ageing has changed completely.

Mr Thomas is a Toowoomba-based volunteer for In Great Company, a program supporting elderly people struggling with social isolation.

One in five older Australians report feeling socially isolated and the statewide program connects elderly clients with younger volunteers, fostering unlikely friendships.

Ms Thomas said the program has helped him as much as he thinks it has helped Mr Dean.

“Having lost my last grandparent, being part of this program has made that happening a lot easier to deal with,” he said.

“You come to consider them as genuine friends and you look forward to the visit as much as they look forward to you coming.

“Everyone has a story to share and they can have a wealth of knowledge that no one really knows about, and sometimes it’s nice to just have a good chat.”

Nathan Thomas (left), Kenneth Dean (middle), and his wife Karne Dean (right) met each other through the In Great Company program.

Mr Dean lives with his wife Karne of 55 years in Mount Lofty and although he has other relatives nearby he looks forward to every second Friday when Mr Thomas comes to visit.

“I look forward to Nathan coming and I feel that it would benefit others to have regularly scheduled company,” he said.

Mr Thomas said catching up with Mr Dean every week has broadened his horizons and taught him a lot.

“Kenneth and Karne, have shown me what a good marriage can look like and how even though you may face challenges you can do it together,” he said.

“It has shown me that sometimes it just takes one small step to change how you are feeling, ageing is never easy, but with great company around it makes it easier.”

Darling Downs volunteer co-ordinator Gemma Merrick said she loved hearing about the amazing friendships created through the program.

“You can really read those stories of how the friendships are developing, which is really good to see,” she said.

Ms Merrick said there is a need for more volunteers in the Darling Downs, and is calling for people to get involved and support the elderly people in our community.

In Great Company is organised by Feros Care and funded by the Aged Care Volunteer Scheme.

Find more information or sign up at https://www.feroscare.com.au/volunteer.