National Volunteer Week 2023

Cancer Society: volunteers embody our heart and hope

With over 100 volunteers, Wairarapa Cancer Society is a force for good for people a˜ ected by cancer.

“Next year is the 40th year of our operation in the region,” says Amber Arkell, centre manager. “We are able to be here o˜ ering hope for our community because of our volunteers.”

Danél Herd, volunteer and finance coordinator, acknowledges the extraordinary commitment of Wairarapa Cancer Society volunteers.

“We have 40 or more volunteer drivers who clock up about 43,000 kms a year taking clients to and from treatment as far as Wellington or Palmerston North”.

Amber notes: “our full range of

services wouldn’t be possible without the support of our volunteers, who help us with everything from o˛ ce admin,

garden maintenance, fundraising events like our annual Da˜ odil Day Street appeal, the chemotherapy hosts at Masterton Hospital on

Wednesdays, and of course our Board, who are all volunteers as well.

“For many,” says Danél, “volunteers have been personally a˜ ected by cancer in some way, which is often the main motivator for volunteering with us.”

Amber says: “Our charity exists in the Wairarapa to support clients and their wh˝nau a˜ ected by cancer. We could not do this without the ongoing support, dedication, and commitment of our volunteers. For that we are eternally grateful”.

Wairarapa Cancer Society is growing its services If you have been thinking of volunteering, reach out to the team, they would love to hear from you: waisupport@cancersoc.org.nz

Impacting children’s growth

As well as running his booming business Brooks Refrigeration Services, Adam Brooks is group leader of Masterton’s Whakaoriori Air Scout Group.

Comprising Keas (ages 5-8), Cubs (ages 8-11), and Scouts (ages 11-14), the Air Scout Group currently has about 72 youth enrolled and ten volunteer leaders.

“We’re always on the lookout for more volunteers,” Adam says.

“It is so rewarding to be part of an organisation that develops children and young children and helps them gain confidence.”

Adam started out as a cub aged seven, moved through to Scouts and, when his oldest started Scouts, re-engaged as a volunteer leader.

He’s now been a leader for 12 years. To volunteer with Scouts – and impact the lives of young people and their communities – you need a sense of fun, as well as bucket loads of patience, creativity, passion, a respectful attitude, and the ability to collaborate.

For more information, please get in touch with Julz at whakaoriori@group.scouts.nz.

Volunteering with St John might be just the thing you’re looking for.

St John’s Health Shuttle transports people to and from medical and health-related appointments.

“Volunteer drivers are the mainstay of this service,” says Suzanne Mitchell who manages the service for St John.

St John’s Opportunity Shop in Masterton enables the organisation to support community health initiatives such as youth development and caring caller.

“If you have any spare clothes, especially winter ones,” says Paul Bryant, shop manager, “we’d appreciate your donations. And volunteers are needed as retail assistants and for pickups.”

“We’re looking for leaders for our Youth Group, too,” says Suzanne.

Volunteers hearing victims’ voices

“We appreciate all the incredible work our volunteers do and the time they give,” says Gwen Zittersteijn, Victim Support’s service coordinator for Wairarapa.

Masterton South Rotary: supporting child literacy

St John in your community A diverse and well Wairarapa

Volunteers make the Masterton South Rotary’s long running Reading Programme possible. They spend about an hour a week at Masterton Primary School, reading and engaging with a child.

This endeavour is part-funded by a Charitable Trust set up many years ago by Bill Boyd, a former President of Rotary International, and is topped up from Masterton South Rotary’s fundraising e˜ orts at the local Sunday Market and Mini Golf. This fundraising also funds the local Books for Babies Programme, with over 600 books distributed every year through Plunket and Whaiora.

Age Concern Wairarapa is committed to the mission of hei pikinga waiora: reconnect with the people and places that lift you up.

“We couldn’t do without our volunteers,” Suzanne and Paul say.

“Their contributions are essential for our organisation.

“We’d like to extend our gratitude to each and every one of them.”

If you’re interested in volunteering or want to know more, contact 0800 785 646 or go to www.stjohn.org.nz/volunteering.

“They bring their life experience to support people coping with crime and trauma. Key skills are the ability to listen and have empathy.”

Gwen’s worked with Victim Support volunteers for nearly 12 years. They work locally, or regionally (such as after the Loafers Lodge fire), or even nationally (such as after the Christchurch Mosque attack).

Volunteers say their roles are very rewarding and that it’s a privilege to be involved.

“It’s great for the volunteers as well as the children,” Marilyn Bouzaid, local Rotarian, says.

“You don’t need to be a Rotary member to volunteer.”

Masterton South Rotary also provides illustrated Usborne dictionaries to all year four students in the Masterton district.

“They’re beautiful books with over 1,000 illustrations.”

“Masterton South Rotary thanks the supporters and volunteers who make it possible for the club to support child literacy.”

Visit www.rotarymastertonsouth. club/page/volunteer to find out more.

“Locally,” says Chris Clarke, Age Concern Wairarapa’s manager, “we have 80 to 100 volunteers, of all ages, who make many of our programmes possible. They understand that seniors are part of the diversity of our local community and contribute to its overall wellbeing.” The Visiting Service is just one of the programmes largely sta˜ ed by volunteers who are matched to older people. “We are so grateful for the work our volunteers do. We extend our thanks to them,” says Chris. Visit www.ageconcernwai.org.nz for information and to volunteer.

Volunteer leaders Felicity Brooks, Deanna Carson and Casey Crothers with Keas Lilly, Kenzie, and Hugo

Ask not what Lions can do for you …

… ask what you can do for the Lions.

“We need you – young and notso-young. There are many good reasons to volunteer with the Lions Club of Carterton, and you can do so without becoming a member if you’d prefer,” says Pascoe Reynolds, incoming President and local farmer. “Although of course we’d also love you to become a member. Come and challenge us!”

“Our club is entering a new phase,” says Colin Slade, Lions secretary and former furniture-maker and community mental health worker.

“We do a lot for the community with our 30 members, but we could do so much more with new blood.”

“If you’re looking for work experience in customer service,” says John Keating, photographer, Lions treasurer, and former surgeon, “we have an opportunity for you in our mobile food van.”

The van can be found everywhere fun is happening be it drag races, sports events, school galas, or Wings over Wairarapa.

“Muscles and stamina are needed for our firewood fundraisers,”

Colin says. “And then there are our upcoming environmental projects, our ‘Spud in a Bag’ competition in partnership with GardenBarn, and Da odil Day with Carterton District Council. Emerging leaders, come and give your community a few hours of your time.”

What does Lions do with the money raised? “We donate to Wellington Free Ambulance, Life Flight Trust, Blind Foundation, Carterton’s Foodbank, Fire Brigade,

Cobblestones’ volunteers Hospice: Time to shine

Cobblestones Museum was set up over 50 years ago by a group of volunteers and still depends on volunteers to keep going.

With the heritage stables, school, colonial cottage, original church, woolshed and first hospital in the Wairarapa as well as the wonderful gardens, Cobblestones is a fantastic community asset.

local schools, scouts and guides, youngsters going to outward bound or similar …” “national disasters like Cyclone Gabrielle and international disasters like the Turkish earthquake …”

What can you do for the Lions Club of Carterton?

Contact Drew Blair –021 0866 6228 or email carterton.secretary@lionsclubs.org.nz.

JOIN THE CARTERTON LIONS!

The volunteers run open days, help develop exhibits, conserve heritage buildings, maintain and demonstrate the old machinery and, most importantly, fundraise.

Become a Friend of Cobblestones for a small annual koha.

Thank you to everyone who volunteers.

We couldn’t do it without you.

Keeping Carterton beautiful

Carterton District Council would like to say thank you to all its volunteers.

We want to say a special thank you to everyone who has contributed to our Keep Carterton Beautiful Group over the years.

For more than quarter of a century, teams of people have united in their passion for our town and have stepped up to make sure our town stays picture perfect.

KCBG has worked in partnership with our Parks & Reserves team to

nurture Carterton’s nature’s beauty and inspire civic pride.

Their tireless e orts in planting vibrant flowers, revitalising areas, and promoting sustainability have created a lasting impact.

We express our heartfelt gratitude to the members, volunteers, and supporters who have made our town a more vibrant and liveable place.

We want to honour your achievements and unwavering dedication.

Congratulations and thank you for making our community shine.

This year’s National Volunteer Week theme is ‘Time to Shine – He wā pīataata.’

It’s a time to recognise, celebrate and thank volunteers.

To everyone who chooses to give their generous gifts of time, energy, expertise and enthusiasm to Hospice Wairarapa, we are so very grateful.

You are the oil that keeps the gears of Hospice running, and your valuable contribution (no matter how big or small) enables us to continue doing the work we do.

So kia ora, fa’afetai, merci, vinaka, xie xie, THANK YOU - from all of us to all of you.

We know there are many other organisations, community groups and individuals who generously give

We helped buy this plane! The ubiquitous Lions food van

Taking a break while cutting firewood for Carterton people in need.

A massive thank you to our Volunteers

… and we need more of you!

“We wouldn’t be able to provide the medical support we do at events all across our region without volunteers” says Daniel Ashcroft, event medical services manager at Wellington Free Ambulance.

Wellington Free Ambulance event medics attend events like Wings over Wairarapa and the Martinborough Fair, concerts, and sporting events to ensure trained first responders are onsite should anyone need help.

To cater for the growing demand for this service as events come back

after a COVID-enforced break, Daniel is building a dedicated local Wairarapa team and is calling for people to put themselves forward for this vital role.

People do not need to have any prior medical knowledge or experience to be an event medic. Full training and induction, as well as mentoring, is provided over a period

of around six months. The only prerequisites are a clean full driver’s license for at least two years and a defensive driving course.

“We understand that people are doing this in their own time and so the training times are very flexible,” explains Dan.

People from all walks of life and professions are members of the event medical services team at Wellington Free Ambulance. Ranging in age from 18 to 60+ the team have day jobs that might surprise some. Current members of the events team have day jobs including a Corrections o cer, real estate manager and Doctor of pharmacology, as well as many students.

If you’re interested in giving your time to your community as a Wellington Free Ambulance event medic, please contact Dan Ashcroft on daniel.ashcroft@wfa.org.nz or 04 498 9670.

Alzheimers Wairarapa: volunteering is simply fun

“Every Tuesday and Friday we get to help with entertainment, physical activities, brain stimulation, and socialisation. We have fun, we challenge the brain of our people with dementia – and even ourselves – and we have a laugh!”

Volunteer drivers and assistants pick up the clients between about 9 and 10am, drive them to the Glenwood Masonic Rest Home for the fun, and then pick them up around 2.30pm to deliver them home.

The fun might include a quiz, or discussions about the worst jobs

Healing with horses

Somebody once said:

the clients have ever experienced. There could be music, or exercises, or a walk with volunteers bringing along wheelchairs in case they’re needed or dashing back to pick up the van.

“Volunteers can do as little or as much as they want – once a month or once a week, for example,” Tam says. “Call me and have a chat about how you could contribute.”

“Never work with children or animals.” We do both and we love it!

Every Thursday, rain or shine – we have a fantastic indoor arena – up to fifteen volunteers can be found giving lucky riders the opportunity to spend time with our team of eight ponies and the coaches and volunteers.

With tailored programmes designed to help achieve their

individual goals, the riders enjoy a variety of tasks. Most of all, they have fun! According to their parents and caregivers, it is the day many of the young riders look forward to the most in their week.

The volunteers report satisfaction in seeing real progress being made by the riders. It is very rewarding, and there is also the opportunity to spend time with the horses they love.

Come along on Thursday: make new friends and help change lives.

“Volunteering with us is like nothing else,” says Alzheimers Wairarapa nurse, Tam Williams, with a chuckle.