The WHY of volunteering
Growth drives need for new car
There are many reasons why people decide to volunteer. Here are the stories behind three local hospice volunteers:
Two years ago the Hibiscus Coast Community Patrol celebrated obtaining a brand new vehicle, and growth in the area is such that already, it needs another – as well as more volunteers. Community patrols are voluntary organisations that work with police, keeping an eye out for potential trouble and communicating those issues direct to police. Patrol leader Sandra Sweetman says unprecedented growth in Ōrewa (Pacific Heights and Ara Hills in particular) and surrounding areas mean a second vehicle is needed, along with more patrollers. “There is a population of over 100,000 in the area we cover – some 40,000 homes, and a rapidly expanding commercial precinct stretching from Puhoi to Okura and inland to Wainui and Kaukapakapa,” Sandra says. “With the many new housing areas and additional people, the community
The community patrol needs to add another car to the one pictured, which got on the road two years ago.
patrol vehicle and trained volunteer team are stretched.” The organisation relies on donations and sponsorship for its vehicles – the one purchased in 2020 was made possible by the support of Tristram MG and other sponsors, as well as the Rotary Satellite club in Millwater. “As a charity we are very grateful to have such generous sponsors and support in the past however, we do need more operational donations for our second vehicle,” Sandra says If you could assist the patrol; either in the form of a grant or sponsorship or you would like to find out more about becoming a patroller, contact hibiscuscoast@cpnz.org.nz or phone 021 0274 6229.
Could you help Shakespear to thrive?
Shakespear Regional Park hosts around 750,000 visitors each year and has been described as a key part of Auckland’s ‘green lung’. Locals enjoy having it on their doorstep and visitors come to experience a beautiful sandy beach, lush areas of native bush alive with birdsong, an extensive network of tracks and spectacular views around the inner Hauraki Gulf. Maintaining all this is beyond the capacity of Auckland Council’s park staff alone. Volunteers make a huge contribution in a wide range of activities. They operate the plant nursery, sowing and raising seeds of native trees which are planted each year by the thousand. There’s a team dedicated to keeping the tracks and other infrastructure in tip-top condition (and often heard singing as they go!). Others do the weekly check on the predator proof fence or maintain the extensive network of pest detection devices and traps. Then there are volunteers who help with monitoring and managing the wildlife (and the farm livestock) in the park or with weed control. In short, there’s a job for most people and more work to be done. Anyone interested in finding out more about volunteering at Shakespear Regional Park can find more info at www.sossi.org.nz/ or look for SOSSI (Shakespear Open Sanctuary Society Inc) on Facebook.
Jackie Wilson
Jackie Wilson always wanted to be a nurse when she grew up and, as soon as she was 18 years old she left Manchester to train at Charing Cross and Great Ormond Street hospitals in London, then made her way to Scotland to train as a midwife.
Jackie’s nursing career led her Down Under. She worked for four years in the Australian Outback with the Royal Flying Doctor Service then travelled to New Zealand, where she only intended staying a few months. But then she met her husband, Alick (a Liverpudlian) – over a beer at an Auckland pub. They started a life together in New Zealand and Jackie worked at several hospitals in different roles before moving into palliative care. She spent eight years as a relief registered
nurse at North Shore’s hospice’s inpatient unit before retiring and she says it was being part of that holistic patient care at hospice that inspired her to volunteer for the organisation, after retirement. She took up a role behind the counter at the Whangaparāoa Hospice Shop and says she loves her Monday morning shifts. “It’s fun and we all get on so well and have a good chat with the customers. It gives me a lot of satisfaction.” She also volunteers as a community visitor. Four years ago she faced her own cancer diagnosis and underwent chemotherapy and surgery. She says the experience only made her more empathetic in that role. “I know exactly what patients are going through,” Jackie says.
Interested in becoming a patroller?
EA
LER
hibiscuscoast@cpnz.org.nz or 02102746229
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