By Alesha Capone
Volunteers Kathleen Kretzschmar and Jeannine Thorley are part of the close-knit community at Mercy Place Wyndham.
The two women are volunteers at the Werribee aged-care home.
Mrs Kretzschmar started volunteering at the home when her mother, Jessica, moved in while Ms Thorley’s late mother Rita was also a resident of the home.
Ms Thorley and Mrs Kretzschmar said their volunteering duties included helping residents with lifestyle activities, lending a hand in the on-site cafe and chatting in a friendship and knitting group.
“We discuss what happened in the week, the news – such as the royal baby,” Mrs Kretzschmar said.
“I love to come in and interact with people, I’m on my own and it gives me something to do and it’s better than sitting at home.”
Both women said they enjoyed making friends with the residents, their relatives and the staff at Mercy Place Wyndham.
Ms Thorley said they ended up becoming “like family”.
“The residents love seeing new faces,” she said. “It’s good to come here.”
Ms Thorley said she would encourage other Wyndham residents to become volunteers at the home.
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