Friend in Focus: How One BallyCara Client Brightens the Lives of Isolated Seniors Through Phone Calls

Di Loddon OAM is a BallyCara Client in Logan who receives support at home services.

She was happy to have a chat with us about her ventures volunteering in the community in her retirement years and to raise awareness of the social isolation that many people, especially seniors, can face in their lives.

Di had many years of experience communicating with people as she was a high school counsellor for much of her working life. When she stepped away from this and into retirement at 72, she was unsure what to do with herself. On the Mother's Day after her retirement Di's kids sat her down and said that she didn't seem herself and that she needs to do something to be "less boring", as they put it. Di had a visit with her doctor who recommended getting into volunteer work. She initially linked up with 'Able' as a way to give back to the community however the branch that she was with closed due to a lack of government funding.

This closure provided a new opportunity as two of the ladies, Julie and Rachelle, took it upon themselves to start a local charity 'Cuppa Plus'. Their main focus is to reduce the impact of social isolation in the community, starting with seniors in the Logan and Scenic Rim regions.

'Cuppa Plus' has a few initiatives including Emergency Relief vouchers, a Dementia Friendly Program, and the program Di works in, Staying Connected.

Staying Connected is a fantastic initiative, it is a simple phone call to those who are more vulnerable and not getting out as much. This is a regular confidential call each week from the friendly volunteers like Di.

Di enjoys this immensely as she is able to reminisce on the past and the people she is calling are more likely to open up as they are in the same age bracket, so they have spoken about all sorts of things ranging from simple medical problems to Di utilising her counselling skills when speaking with someone who has recently lost their partner.

Di and her husband both had a health scare last year and it has given them a new lease on life, to savour every moment from the day. They have been married for 49 years, and he says that he can't see her living without volunteering. He has also become involved in 'Cuppa Plus' as he occassionally cooks for them.

As you would expect with a name like that 'Cuppa Plus' have also hosted Biggest Morning Tea events. One of their latest ones in Jimboomba was a huge success, they had orginally catered for 30, however had a turnout of 68 on the day, prompting a quick dash to grab some more supplies; they ended up raising $1400 for the Cancer Council.

For more information on 'Cuppa Plus' visit and like their Facebook page.

If you live in the Logan or Scenic Rim area and would like to volunteer reach out to the 'Cuppa Plus' team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..