Local Services

Local Issues

Cancer Council Info

General and Practical Support Program

Please note that the name of this service has now been changed from Volunteer In Home Service (VIHS) to GAPS.

This change does not affect the range of services available. It has been made to more accurately reflect the fact that much of the assistance patients are being given is outside of the home : for example, transport to medical appointments or shopping, or to connect with the Patient Transport Service bus.


This new service for the Southern Highlands commenced early in 2011. Trained volunteers are available to assist people who are undergoing cancer treatment and people who are their carers.

  • Volunteers can visit people in their homes and help in various ways, including :
    - transport to medical appointments and treatment
    - transport to and from a pickup location for the Patient Transport Service
    - shopping
    - respite for a carer
    - writing letters
    - or simply having a conversation
  • Enquiries and bookings can be made by contacting the GAPS Volunteer Co-ordinator, Joan Harrison, on 0428 681 926 
    or by sending an email to shgaps@nswcc.org.au
    Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm.
  • Confidentiality and privacy is totally assured.
  • This is a support program provided by Cancer Council NSW and is free of charge.
  • 2017 brought an extra resource for the GAPS program when Cancer Council bought a car specifically for GAPS use. Another way in which funds raised locally by events such as Relay for Life and Daffodil Day can be returned to the community.









































Pictured above are some of our team of GAPS volunteers (L to R) : Suzy Kennon, Jann Wadsworth, Aurelia Grigore-Reid, Chris Roode, Wanda Lach, Julianne Halpin, Belinda Lamb (Cancer Council), Judith Brooks, Joan Harrison (GAPS Co-ordinator), 
Di Hinton, John Hinton. In front : Nick Goodall.

Pictured at left (L to R) : GAPS volunteers, Suzy Kennon and Margaret Maronese, provided information about the program to visitors at the Southern Highlands Community Services Expo, held at Mittagong RSL, 16th August, 2012.