THEY turn up every week to the Proserpine Nursing Home and without their efforts the facility simply wouldn't run at the high standard it does.

Lil Burke is one of 20 Friends of Proserpine Nursing Home volunteers who every week donates her time to the home to help residents enjoy life.

Lil has been doing it for 18 years and at 83 years of age is older than some of the residents - but that doesn't stop her.

"When I tell my daughter I am going up to see the oldies she says to me, 'Mum, you are older than them,'” she said.

Working at the Proserpine Hospital for a long time and raising her five children in the area, Lil knew many of the residents before they came to live at the aged care facility.

"I love coming up here and everyone knows me,” she said.

Lil said she loved helping the residents and it helped her to keep busy.

"I am home on my own, my husband has passed away and the kids have all left home and it gives me somewhere to go.”

Proserpine Nursing Home activities director Cheryl Raiteri said Lil was one of the "friends” of the home who visit under the Mackay Communities Visitors Scheme.

"They pay for their travel if they need to claim and it pays for their police check,” she said.

The volunteers are assigned to one resident and take part in activities with that person to develop a solid relationship.

Cheryl said there were other organisations such as the Uniting Church that also donated their time.

"We are so blessed with our volunteers, we are very, very lucky,” she said.

The volunteers help the residents play bingo and hoy during the week and are on hand when attending the morning melodies shows at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre.

"I have worked here for 30 years this year and the place is just like a second home to me,” Cheryl said.

"I always say, 'If you need to be helped, this is the place to be at.'”