Here are some helpful links from Volunteering New Zealand:
NORTH TARANAKI MIDWEEK VOLUNTEER CALLS:
Do you have Time to Volunteer?
By the time you read this we will be in Level 2 .
There are so many to thank for being available to support us during Level 4 and Level 3 of COVID -19.
There are many employed who are there because they work in the essential services and we thank them for continuing to support us all.
There are also those volunteers who are continuing to support our essential community services – yes they are the people who deliver meals on wheels and some who purchased and delivered groceries to those required to stay at home at all levels due to being health compromised or older and who did not have family / friends who could do this for them and did not have access to the internet and online shopping.
There are also volunteers helping out at Taranaki Civil Defence Emergency Management team, Age Concern, Salvation Army, Foodbanks and of Course St Johns, Red Cross, Alzheimer’s too; as well as with us at Volunteering New Plymouth just to name a few.
The community was really pretty resilient and there were not a huge number of new volunteers deployed – generally the Organisations kept their bubble small and managed with those that they currently had before lockdown.
During the lockdown we had fifty plus new volunteers register to offer their time during COVID-19, however the number deployed was only ten. These were those who were Police vetted and had the skills required for the Organisation they were referred to. We were very vigilant about the Police check requirement as we want to protect those who needed the services of the Essential Volunteers during the lockdown.
Have you been volunteering virtually during the lockdown? Have you phone or text contact your neighbours / elderly friends or relations to check that they are ok? - did you contact people via skype, facetime, messenger or zoom to check that they are ok? Any of these activities are what we call micro volunteering – these are possible volunteer roles of the future.
However there will still be physical roles too and if you have been police vetted for your job in the last two years and now have time available, it would be really helpful if you could make contact and register as a volunteer, as there will be roles that you could become involved with in Level 2 then as we move to Level 1.
If you have not been police vetted, don’t let that put you off, still put your hand up, there will be roles for you as well.
So what next?
Marie and Wendy of Volunteering New Plymouth will be still working remotely for the next little while so please either go to our website www.volunteeringnewplymouth.org.nz in the first instance to register or email: admin@volunteeringnewplymouth.nz, if you do not have access to an email account then please text 027 541 0577 for Marie or 022 571 4228 for Wendy; either will contact you as soon as she is available.
Please everyone stay safe as we move down the levels and be kind to yourself and others. As a team of 5 Million we are getting this done.
GIRLGUIDING NZ Taranaki - Leadership Opportunity
Here is an absolutely fabulous opportunity for fun loving, artistic or sporty volunteers from all backgrounds of life and with skills to share, to step up and become Leaders for Girl Guiding Taranaki.
To join the current enthusiastic volunteers you need to be at least 18 years old. Don't worry if you are a 'little over' 18 - anyone 'young at heart' will be welcomed with open arms. Your contribution will be to share your skills to help young girls and women develop to be the very best they can.
If you are a parent or caregiver looking for an adventure with your children or other students, you may be a student wanting to help out in your community, or perhaps you would just like to develop your own leadership experiences so that you can improve your personal growth - then you need to contact us today!!
Being a Girl Guide leader doesn't need to be for life, but the friendships formed often are. You can choose to work with girls from age 5 years right through to 18 - age 5 - 6 (Pippins). 7 - 9 (Brownies),9 - 12 (Guides), and 12 - 17 (Rangers).so what a chance to join in this life changing organisation. Meetings run for up to 2 hours once a week during school term time.
There is a need for a number of general leaders in a variety of locations throughout the New Plymouth District but also currently a specific need for a Pippin leader in Merrilands, a Ranger leader in Westown and Guide Leaders in Inglewood So many great opportunities. It is not necessary for you to have any prior experience in Guiding to be suitable for these roles. There are online qualifications available and Leadership training too.
We know that these really are worthwhile and rewarding roles so come on we want to hear from you – so contact Wendy or Marie at Volunteering New Plymouth on (06) 7588-986, phone or text 027 541 0577 email at admin@volunteeringnewplymouth.nz.
Taranaki Cancer Society:
The Taranaki Cancer Society provides leadership and advocacy in health promotion, support, information and research. The Society relies on Volunteers to help them with many of their tasks and to make sure that people who volunteer are not over worked a database of people is used to spread the workload. The society’s special support volunteers provide practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their families.
At the moment new volunteers are need to be added to this database. The Society has a group of volunteers who drive patients to and from appointments such as doctor, dentist etc., currently more people are needed for this important role. For this role you are required to have your own car, current insurance, registration and warrant of fitness and a clean full car driver licence.
You will receive a driving assignment (which most often will be during daylight hours and Monday to Friday) and you then arrange with the patient or carer a pick up point and time which will allow good time to reach their appointment. If required you will escort your patient to the reception for their appointment. You are then free till their end of treatment – when you will be contacted by the office to collect them and return them to their pick up point. Time commitment is variable depending on your availability.
You will be reimbursed travel on completion of assignments and / or completed statistics form.
So if you have some hours to spare, have a caring, sensitive nature and are able to relate to people from all walks of life as well as being willing to respect confidentiality, then please call us
OR:
Did you know that no Government funding is received and fundraising is essential in providing core services in health promotion, support and information by Cancer Society Taranaki? All monies raised in Taranaki stays in Taranaki so your help will be of tremendous value to the wellbeing of your community.
On March 28th,2020 the popular Relay for Life will again be held at TET Stadium, Inglewood between 10.30am and 10.30pm and already volunteers are being sought for a number of roles including; transporting material to set up headquarters, helping with Hands of Hope Flag, Survivors lunch, face painting and countless other small jobs. If you are keen to be involved in this fantastic day then we want to hear from you too. POSTPONED IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19: NOW MARCH 2021
SO:
If you just want to get out and about to enjoy the company of some great people and help the community at the same time and either of the above options sound like something you would like to do? Then please contact Marie or Wendy at Volunteering New Plymouth on (06)7588-986 / 027 541 0577 or email manager@volunteeringnewplymouth.nz. They are keen to hear from you.
Red Cross Shop
Have you thought about volunteering?
Do you have a few hours that you could offer? – It could be once a week or a month. Have you checked out the very popular retail shop in Fitzroy operated by Red Cross?
Are you interested in helping support the work that Red Cross do locally?
The Fitzroy shop is more of a small boutique style shop with items priced for the budget conscious and / or those who are choosing to purchase previously owned rather than buying new. People who explore find amazing buys on the racks and shelves, and return often as there is no knowing what will be found on the next visit.
This little shop has lead the way and been plastic bag free since May 2017 so you are offered a cool upcycled bag for a gold coin and a great way to help the environment.
If you have a creative side and an interest doing something with that creativity this may be the place to discuss options to help bring diversity to the recycling of items donated for sale.
There are some new and exciting things happening and this little store is about to announce some great news about becoming bigger and brighter. Would you like to be part of the exciting new things that are happening for the Red Cross shop?
There are plenty of opportunities for volunteers to gain experience in retail. Right now more friendly volunteers are needed to help offer that first rate service that the customers have come to expect.
The shop is open Monday to Friday 9am - 4.30pm. Saturday hours are 9am till 3pm. The shifts are from Monday – Saturday morning 9am – 1pm and afternoon 1pm till 4.30pm. If you are able to offer any hours during these times please consider joining the wonderful team, especially if you have an interest in retail and a few hours to spare. There are many tasks available, so if the front of house retail is not your thing there will be tasks that will suit your skill set that will help the team get those goods out and into the shop for sale.
An additional incentive may be offered to those who; show commitment, a willingness to become part of the team as well as demonstrate a positive attitude; this comes after a qualifying period and you may be offered the opportunity to study towards an NZQA qualification in Retail Level 2.. The other bonus of course is that experience with a volunteer organisation could lead onto paid employment elsewhere as many employers give preference to people who have volunteer experience on their CV and there are many examples of this.
So are you looking to gain new skills and a possible qualification?
Or just wanting to get out and about to enjoy the company of some great people and help the community at the same time.
Do either of these choices sound like something you would like to do?
If you answer yes then contact Marie or Wendy at Volunteering New Plymouth on (06)7588-986 / 027 541 0577 or email manager@volunteeringnewplymouth.nz. They are keen to hear from you.
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 at the Volunteer New Plymouth on (06) 7588-986 or email her at admin@volunteeringnewplymouth.nz 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 or text 027 541 0577 so that we can arrange for your visit.