The AAA are seeking a volunteer to help with returning calls from the Optus Loop service. On average we get around 10 phone calls per month, so it not an onerous or time-consuming task but it upskills you. The system forwards a voice message to an email address which you can then respond to at a time that suits you best. It also means that you can prepare / gather information, if necessary, before making the return call. This is a relatively new system which will be much easier to use for volunteers.
Benefits:
- You get to talk directly to people with aphasia or family members about what they need. Questions are mostly about how to find a local speech pathologist that specialises in aphasia or an aphasia group near them.
- You get to know more about aphasia services in Australia – e.g. who are the specialists in PPA, where intensive services are.
- It has sparked more ideas, including research ideas, and what needs to be done to help people with aphasia in Australia. For example, it’s hard to tell whether a speech pathologist has expertise in aphasia via the SPA database. What additional or advanced competencies are required by a good aphasia therapist? How could they obtain and advertise those competencies?
- You can put it on your CV.
Drawbacks:
- You do get some “challenging” questions, but the AAA community will help if you don’t know the answer.
- Sometimes you need to follow up with a text or email e.g. to send them a link to a resource or list out their options.
If you are interested or would like some further information, please email Megan Trebilcock –megan.trebilcock@acu.edu.au