The Melton community safety register was started seven years ago with only a handful of clients and volunteers.
A group of 33 volunteers now makes more than 300 calls a week to 480 older and vulnerable people in the Melton area.
For some of these people – many of whom experience illness, isolation or loneliness – the weekly phone call is their only contact with the outside world.
On Sunday, the register’s volunteers received Melton council’s community group of the year award. Bev Tait, who has been a volunteer from the beginning, said the service, started by Melton police’s community consultative committee, was a great way for people to give back to the community.
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Similar services have been established in surrounding areas, including Bacchus Marsh.
Two volunteers are rostered on each week- day, calling clients from Melton police station.
“It’s about someone ringing them and having a bit of a chat,’’ Ms Tait said.
