Project CARE

Compassion, Aspiration, Respect and Empower

Project CARE is an aged and youth empowerment volunteer program for high school students and aged care residents. Project CARE encourages, supports and increases participation in volunteering at an early age and assists students in making the transition from school to work while enhancing their employability skills. It also enhances empathy, bridges the generational gap, improves community connectedness and social inclusion.

In 2022 - 2023, Westfields Sports High School (WSHS) students volunteered to interact and support aged care residents who were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown restrictions. Each week the students visited the residents to do various arts and crafts activities together. SummitCare and WSHS followed COVIDSafe practices and Influenza vaccination protocols to ensure a safe and memorable experience.

SWC has been running this program since 2014 (previously called FUSION) thanks to ClubGRANTS, with over 400 students and local schools such as Westfields Sports High School, Bossley Park High School, Canley Vale, Liverpool Boys, Liverpool Girls, Prairiewood and Miller Technology.

"I really enjoy it here because I see how much happier they are after us visiting them." - Sylvia

"Project CARE taught me how to have empathy for the older generation." - Jeremy

"It makes me so happy to know that I have positively impacted the residents." - Roozlinda

"I have loved this experience and I encourage my peers to join this program." - Angelina