Heart of the Community: Mercy Health Volunteers

The month of May saw Mercy Health celebrating the strength and spirit of its volunteer community, recognising the vital role volunteers play in supporting compassionate, person-centred care across its services. From hospitals, aged care homes and palliative care to early parenting support, volunteers enrich the lives of patients, residents and families through connection, empathy and shared experience. Through an extensive series of media stories during National Volunteer Week, Mercy Health highlighted how this dedicated network of volunteers brings its mission to life.

Del Turner at Whittlesea Early Parenting Centre

Every Wednesday evening, Del Turner walks into Mercy Health’s Woi-wurrung-yagila-wulumperi, Whittlesea Early Parenting Centre bringing something deeply valued by the families she supports – lived experience, warmth and practical care. As part of the centre’s volunteer “Caring Crew”, the 69-year-old grandmother helps new parents navigate the challenges of early parenthood, whether that means settling siblings, preparing spaces or offering a listening ear for exhausted parents.

Her connection to the role is shaped by her own experience as a mother, giving her a strong sense of empathy for parents who arrive tired, overwhelmed and often isolated. Volunteering has also brought renewed meaning to her own life, creating a strong sense of connection to the community and the families she supports. Del’s story was recently told in The Senior magazine, highlighting the powerful role volunteers play in strengthening community and creating a sense of belonging across generations.

Diane Di Lallo at Mercy Palliative Care

At Mercy Palliative Care in Sunshine, Diane Di Lallo dedicates her time to capturing the life stories of patients through Mercy’s volunteer biography program. Working closely with individuals in their final stages of life, she listens, records and documents personal histories, helping preserve memories and create meaningful legacies for families. Her work brings dignity, reflection and recognition to each person’s story.

Diane’s contribution was profiled in the Brimbank & North West Star Weekly “My Place” column, with additional print coverage across the Star Weekly network. The story positioned Mercy Health’s palliative care services as deeply person-centred, highlighting how volunteer-led programs enhance emotional support alongside clinical care. Through this coverage, Diane’s work demonstrates how storytelling can play a powerful role in end-of-life care, creating lasting connections for families.

Beverley McFarland, Mercy Place Lynbrook

For Beverley McFarland, volunteering at Mercy Place Lynbrook was motivated by a very personal connection. After caring for her husband during his time at the home, she returned to support the same community that had supported them both. Now, she spends her time engaging with residents through conversation, games and companionship, building relationships that bring comfort and familiarity.

Her story was shared in the Dandenong Star Journal under the headline “Widow’s compassion inspires all”, with further reach through syndicated online coverage and multiple print mastheads across the Star News network. The coverage highlighted the strength of relationships within Mercy Health’s aged care communities and the way volunteering can support both residents and volunteers themselves. For Beverley, volunteering continues to provide purpose while honouring her husband’s memory.

Helen MacLeod, Mercy Place Rice Village

For more than 30 years, Helen MacLeod has been part of the fabric of Mercy Place Rice Village, helping shape a strong sense of community within the home. Now living onsite, she continues to volunteer each week by leading a choir for residents living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Through familiar songs and shared moments, she helps residents reconnect with memory, identity and each other.

Helen’s story received strong coverage in the Geelong Advertiser, alongside print features in the Geelong Times, Surf Coast Times, Bellarine Times and Armstrong Creek Times. The reporting highlighted the transformative impact of music, showing how residents who struggle with memory during the week can actively engage and recall lyrics during choir sessions. Her long-standing commitment, combined with her personal resilience, underscores the important role volunteers play in enhancing quality of life in aged care communities.