Here are some helpful links from Volunteering New Zealand:
https://www.facebook.com/hellonp1/videos/876313966204312/
Below is a link to an article on 'Have you thought about volunteering?' taken from Superseniors
Opens as a PDF
Have you thought about Volunteering article
Bite size Volunteering
Have you ever thought about volunteering?
Do you know how to start or where to start?
Do you have some time that you could offer a community group?
Do you have a few hours a week or a fortnight or even a month?
CAN YOU HELP? Currently we have several Organisations that are looking for people to help with various activities - it might be that they are looking for someone to help once a month for a couple of hours. There are also some events that are a one off - that we would love to have you on our Volunteer list to contact when we get a call at short notice.
Benefits of Volunteering
1) Connects you to others - one of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships is to commit to a shared activity.
2) Is good for your mind and body - helps counteract the effects of stress, anger and anxiety. Can combat depression and increase confidence and make you happy.
3) Can advance your career - you can try out a new careers without making a long term commitment
4) Brings fun and fulfillment to your life - this is an easy way to explore your interests and passions.
There are many roles that do not require specific skills prior to starting; in fact the most valuable assets that you can bring to any volunteer effort are compassion, an open mind, a willingness to pitch in wherever needed and a positive attitude.
If you have always thought of volunteering but were afraid to, because you wanted to have flexibility to visit family, travel, study, or work - think about looking at bite size volunteering - this is the way volunteering is evolving.
There is now also micro volunteering - yes that is even smaller than bite size and that can be something like writing Christmas cards for the lonely or responding to a survey or if you are a sewer – making some masks or Volunteer produce and reuseable bags.
Do any of these sound like something that you would like to dip your toes into and look at? Or a little daunting, or an exciting opportunity?
If you would like to know more and or like to meet someone to talk about the possibilities / or put your name forward please contact Wendy at Volunteering New Plymouth on (06) 7588-986, email: admin@volunteeringnewplymouth.nz or phone or text 022 571 4228 so that she can put you on the list of interested potential volunteers.
Taranaki Timebank:
Taranaki Timebank is a community network with a current membership of approximately 65 individual members and community groups who have come together exchanging skills and time to help each other just get things done! This can be anything from teaching a craft to painting a house. Timebank Communities exist throughout New Zealand and are based on a world-wide model. Taranaki Timebank is looking for a quite extraordinary volunteer to be the 'face' of the organisation. This exceptional person must have a desire to work within a community network, will need to be computer savvy (hopefully with their own computer), be able to manage a social media site and have the ability to monitor and evaluate data to influence future development. I did say that this is a really specialised role!! Hopefully going forward they will also be responsible for general support to members including induction sessions. Initially this would be around 5 hours per week but could in time lead to a paid position. If you would like to talk to the good folk at Taranaki Timebank about this role please contact Wendy or Marie on 027 41 577 06 758 8986 or email admin@volunteeringnewplymouth.nz and either of them will forward your details on to the organisation who will arrange to have a chat.
Alzheimers Taranaki Inc - Social Day Volunteers
The hardworking people at Alzheimers Taranaki provide; support, advice, information and advocacy for people with dementia. They also educate and inform the wider community about dementia and remove the stigma attached to this disease that affects so many of our families today.
Volunteers are required to assist with the Social Day that takes place every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. At this time clients are offered a few hours of respite and social activities from 10.00am until 3.00pm in the welcoming venue in Waimea Street, New Plymouth. This special time allows everyone to enjoy a fun filled and active atmosphere for a few hours. It is really important that a good mix of male and female volunteers is available. So if you have a friendly nature that can add to this social interaction with people who really appreciate the time you spend with them, then here is your chance to make a huge difference to someone's day. A fortnightly roster is arranged, so the commitment is not too difficult to meet. If you think that you might be that special person who has a kind heart and patient nature, understands peoples needs, and willing to work in a relaxed, fun team environment, then now is the time to give Wendy a call at Volunteering New Plymouth on (06)7588-986, text / phone cell 022 571 4228 or email admin@volunteeringnewplymouth.nz for any additional information and to arrange for an interview with the Robyn, she is looking forward to hear from you.
Hospice Opportunity Shop Westown - Warehouse
I am sure that everyone knows about the huge financial contribution the Hospice Op Shops make to our Te Rangimarie Hospice. We are putting out an urgent request to ask for your help to support this amazing work; by asking if you have a few hours in your week to help at the Hospice Warehouse in Westown. Can you help for 4 hours a week or a fortnight or perhaps every 3 or 4 weeks?
They are crying out for some volunteers who can help in the depot with the sorting of all the donated items. This is an essential role as it allows the shop to keep moving stock on and off the shelves. Both male and female volunteers are needed and I am sending a special 'shout out' to all those of you who currently are not working or have been recently become unemployed due to COVID who may be looking for something to do until you find work!! If you have time to spare, are fit and healthy with a good sense of humour, how about considering working for a few hours a week doing this most worthwhile role. I am sure all volunteers will find it so rewarding to assist this fantastic organisation that plays such an important part in so many of our lives. I want to hear from everyone who has some time available - please contact Marie or Wendy at Volunteering New Plymouth on (06)7588-986 / text 027 541 0577 or email admin@volunteeringnewplymouth.nz.
Salvation Army Family Store:
The Salvation Army offers a ‘hand-up’ to Kiwis in need, providing services such as food banks, budgeting courses, employment training, addiction services, community garden projects, emergency services and much, much more. They are an organisation that relies on the generosity of others to provide these valuable resources to the local community. Their Family Stores are a wonderful part of their organisation and raise a large amount of money that is then distributed back into the community.
In New Plymouth the Family Store is on the lookout for friendly volunteers willing to become a part of the wonderful team who work on a roster system from Monday through to Saturday. You can work at times to suit you and any time that you can offer will be greatly appreciated.
Currently they are looking for people who can work behind the counter, who are passionate about people and customer service. If you have previous experience that would be wonderful however there is the opportunity to gain transferrable cash handling and retail customer service skills. Full training will be provided and a reference to support you in moving on to your future career. You may also have the opportunity to enrol in a retail course that allows you to gain NCEA credits and a certificate in retail and customer service.
Are you a person who would like to help the Salvation Army help our community? Or are you curious to learn more? If so then please call Wendy/Paula at Volunteering New Plymouth on (06) 7588-986; email admin@volunteeringnewplymouth.nz or phone / text 022 571 4228 so that contact can be arranged.
Citizens Advice Bureau:
The Citizens Advice Bureau is a branch of a national organisation Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand (CABNZ), This organisation is dedicated to providing all members of our New Zealand community with independent help and support on any matter that they may require.
The aims of CABNZ are to:
1) Ensure that individuals do not suffer through ignorance of their rights and responsibilities, or of the services available, or through an inability to express their needs effectively.
2) Exert a responsible influence on the development of social policies and services, both locally and nationally.
To achieve these aims CAB offer accurate, comprehensive and up to date information, advice and advocacy that is free, confidential and impartial.
New Plymouth CAB branch is open from 9.30am – 3.30pm Monday through Friday and is staffed by trained volunteers. There are 10 shifts per week which are from 9.30am – 12.30pm and 12.30pm – 3.30pm and two volunteers (Bureau members) are rostered on each shift. The Bureau offers a free legal service one nigh per week, usually a Monday and usually from 7.15 – 9pm and one Bureau member is rostered to assist the duty solicitor on this night.
To become a Bureau member it does require commitment, there is a requirement to perform a duty once a fortnight, and in general a commitment of approximately 10 – 15 hours per month is needed. This includes assisting with the day to day running of the Bureau and participating on at least one of the teams which could consist of organising information resources, maintaining the information systems and other technology, organising social gatherings, giving talks to other community groups, publicity or learning and development. Monthly learning and development sessions are held every third Wednesday 12.30pm – 2pm and a volunteer must attend 7 out of 10 per year. There is flexibility in all this and you are able to select your own shifts to fit with your lifestyle. So if you think, I would like to do that but I am wanting to travel for a few weeks or months and / or want to spend time with family (and don’t want to let people down or have to get someone to take my roster ) this could be the perfect role for you as there is the ability to be rostered out of those times .
There is a process of Police check and signing a declaration of confidentiality to be completed and once accepted there is an induction period and the observation sessions then after successfully completing these key steps there is a probation period and finally Accreditation and Volunteer Certificate is awarded.
The friendly people at the Bureau are extending an invitation to prospective volunteers to go along and spend some time in the office to see how it all works, so if you would like to visit and find out more about the role CAB and the Bureau members play in our community then please contact Wendy or Marie at Volunteering New Plymouth on (06) 758 8986, email: admin@volunteeringnewplymouth.nz or phone / text 027 541 0577 (Marie), 022 571 4228 (Wendy) so that we can arrange for your visit.