Youth and experience together at Hospice Wairarapa

It is 7.30am on a brisk Saturday morning and the volunteers at the Hospice Wairarapa Garage Sale are swinging into action. Crates and shelving emerge from the back shed and take their regular places along the driveway.

Trestle tables are unfolded and boxes with everything from crockery, glassware, clothing and shoes to sports equipment and plants are unpacked. The operation runs like clockwork and within an hour the courtyard at Hospice Wairarapa has been transformed into a mega marketplace. The place is soon humming with customers looking for a bargain.

“We have clients who have been farmers, jewellers, cricket umpires, teachers and brick layers. Their memories and recollections are precious.”

“The new van acquired last year makes the run much easier, with more headroom and comfort. It’s interesting how much the van run can change from month to month –with new clients coming on board.” time to reflect, dream, shine

He wā pīataata time

A member of the Masterton Men’s Shed at Henley Lake, Murray had a varied career of his own, as a lab technician,

Gift Us Your Energy And Skills

Our premier team of volunteers is boosting its ranks. Help people with dementia live their best possible lives and build an accepting community.

Do you know someone who suffers from dementia?

The harsh reality is, dementia affects nearly every New Zealand family at some point, in some way.

Alzheimers Wairarapa has a team of motivated and fun-loving volunteers, who enhance and strengthen their community. We invite you to join them.

Can you drive?

We need drivers to transport clients to and from our day activity programme at Glenwood Masonic Hospital in Masterton. We also need assistants for the van run. Volunteering can be as little as two or three hours a month.

Can you assist?

Centre volunteers help with our day programme at Glenwood. They assist with activities and outings, providing a warm and caring atmosphere for our clients. Lunch is included. Our volunteers have a range of skills and experience to share. We treasure the time they give each month and the feedback is that it enriches their own lives. We are exible with hours, to accommodate our volunteers’ family and life commitments.

Do you love to talk and engage? Or work behind the scenes?

Our volunteers can help with fundraisers of all shapes and sizes. Their ideas, community contacts and energy are vital to our success.

Do you believe that `Together We Can Achieve More’ a shepherd, a bookshop owner and rural radio broadcaster.

The executive meets monthly and runs an ef cient meeting. We plan fundraisers, budgets and discuss the support required for our experienced registered nurse, Tam Williams, who travels Wairarapa-wide.

If you have just a few hours a month, to share your knowledge and empower others, we would love to hear from you. Help us promote positive living and be part of our charitable organisation.

He has stepped in to fill roster gaps at Alzheimers Wairarapa many times and his experience is of great value.

Interested in volunteering for Alzheimers Wairarapa? Get in touch at: www. alzheimerswairarapa.co.nz

What is surprising is the age range of the Garage Sale volunteers. The youngest, Luca (pictured) is a 15-year-old Wairarapa College student volunteering as part of his Duke of Edinburgh community service. Luca says, “I do volunteering for the joy of helping others and the good vibe always get from being part of an amazing team”.

Another long-standing volunteer, 85-year-old Gwen has been part of this enterprise since the beginning.

She enjoys the camaraderie and sense of purpose it gives her. “I’m not supposed to being lifting anything heavy” she chortles, “but it’s all for a good cause”.

Brian Stewart, at 77 years old, is the Garage Sale “Bossman” and has been the stalwart of the team

“ do volunteering for the joy of helping others and the good vibe I always get from being part of an amazing team.” for 11 years. He gathers and prepares items throughout the week, with others from the team assisting with sorting and pricing items on Friday mornings. Brian got involved with the Garage Sale because, “I was there at the opening of the Hospice facility and knew the team that were involved in getting it all up and running. I believe in putting effort into a worthwhile cause that benefits others. It’s not for yourself, it’s for the community”.

The weekly Garage Sale is a fundraising enterprise to support the work of Hospice Wairarapa. It is held every Saturday from 9 to 11am, at 59 Renall St, and only the wildest weather prevents it from happening.

Hospice Wairarapa also relies on the vital income from retail stores at Masterton and Greytown and several annual fundraising events to support delivery of its free services.

These include In-home Care Companionship, Biography Writing, Gentle Touch Massage, Wellbeing Therapies, Podiatry, Precious Memories Photography/ Videography, Caregiver Support, Counselling, Bereavement Support, and the Te Kowhai Day Programme.

Like to volunteer for us? Enquire at admin@ hospicewairarapa.co.nz

– some lifting required

Patient and Family Support programmes:

• Care Companions - o ering in-home support to patients and their families. Care Companions provide an extra layer of compassion—supporting patients who may be lonely and helping family members who are often emotionally and physically overwhelmed.

• Creative Hands programme – arts and crafts tutors – one Monday per month teaching in a small group setting.

To find out more about these roles please contact the Hospice Wairarapa Volunteer Manager at steph@hospicewairarapa.co.nz or phone 06 929 7503.