Silvia and Helena both gain a lot of satisfaction from Brimbank’s home library service. 74928 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
BY NATALIE GALLENTI
FOR Helena Pecsek a fortnightly visit from a volunteer is all that’s needed to brighten her day.
The North Sunshine resident has been part of Brimbank’s home library service since it was launched last year and said it has changed her life.
The 92-year-old said the kiss and cuddle she receives every fortnight from volunteer Silvia Weisz always made her day.
“Everyone needs a cuddle,” Mrs Pecsek said.
“I love to read. It’s changed my life. It makes a difference to have someone in the house.
“I’ll miss it if it ever stops.”
Mrs Pecsek, who migrated from Germany more than 60 years ago and has no other family members living in the area, said reading kept her occupied and often made long winter days seem shorter,
“When you get old, time goes slowly if you sit and do nothing. Reading keeps me occupied and I learn a lot, including things I missed out on at school. When I was working and raising a family, I didn’t have time to do much reading. Now I read all sorts of books – history, romance, everything.”
The program has not only benefitted Mrs Pecsek, but St Albans resident Silvia Weisz also said she loved helping people who aren’t mobile but still love to read.
“I could never think about the possibility of not having books, it makes me sad,” she said.
“I love having a chat and sometimes I get the feeling I’m the only person they’ve seen all day.”
Mrs Weisz said visiting elderly residents was very rewarding and encouraged other people, particularly retirees, to get involved in some form of voluntary work.
“It gives me a sense of being useful and giving back to the community and a chance to connect with people.”
The program celebrated its first anniversary last month. Its 28 volunteers are matched with people in 13 nursing homes and 86 residents in the community.
