When Sarah-Jane Gillmore started volunteering at HammondCare Horsley a month ago, she had no idea what a rewarding step it would be.
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The 25-year-old from Unanderra was between jobs and looking for something to fill her time.
But she has taken many more steps after making a connection with resident Mary Stein.
The two walk around Horsley at least twice a week.
"I didn't like sitting at home doing nothing, so I went to Volunteering Australia and they suggested here," she said.
"I have a passion for social work. I was a social worker with young people. Helping the elderly is just another way of doing social work."
The former Figtree High student loves the time she spends with Mrs Stein so much she doesn't plan to stop when she gets another job.
The two just naturally gravitated towards each other.
"I will probably still come in here once a week," Ms Gillmore said.
"You don't get matched up. I just fell in to walking with Mary because she likes to walk and needs someone to go for a walk with her, so I volunteered. We go for between half an hour and 45 minutes."
Mrs Stein, a resident at HammondCare for 10 years, described her new friend as such a lovely person to walk with.
"I couldn't do it on my own," she said.
The volunteer experience is a similar story for Lyn Condon, 70, who has been helping out at HammondCare for three years.
She previously worked in aged care and does art and craft with about six residents at a time.
She also regularly takes one resident out for a drive.
Mrs Condon said it didn't matter what age you were or what your background, everyone had something to offer as a volunteer.
Everyone had their own personality, made connections with different people and did different things, she said.
"All the people in here have different interests and if you hit it off on something with someone, it is amazing.
"When you do make such a connection, it really brings something out in that resident. I do it because I love it.
"It becomes like part of your family. It lifts your spirits and I look forward to walking on Monday mornings. It is beautiful."
Volunteer leader Barb Criddle said HammondCare Horsley had about 40 kind-hearted volunteers who regularly made a difference to the lives of residents living with dementia.
"They drive buses, play games, take residents for walks, do craft together, play music and generally just help out where they can," she said.
Mrs Criddle said anyone interested in becoming a volunteer could contact the office at Horsley.