Hospice Eastern Bay of Plenty is looking for new volunteers for a variety of roles in Ōpōtiki.

Recruitment drives have begun on the streets of Ōpōtiki to find new helpers for the Hospice store and fundraising initiatives.

Volunteer coordinator Jane Kay said there was always a need for volunteers in all areas, be it fundraising, volunteering in hospice shops, helping with deliveries of equipment and collections of op-shop donations, driving nurses to patients, patient visitor volunteers, and life story writers.

Store volunteers typically work one morning or afternoon a week, receiving donated goods, sorting, cleaning and pressing the clothes, and working the till.

“It’s not always easy work, but there’s a lot of comradery and fun. We have a lovely, united team,” she said.

Media and community relations adviser Lydia Tulip said volunteers were allocated roles based on their interests and what they were capable of.

“It can be a nice way for people to meet each other. A lot of friendships are formed at the shop,” she said.

She said volunteers in Ōpōtiki had been particularly supportive. One time she and Ms Kay visited the town, 20 volunteers met them at the Bridge Street Cafe for lunch.

“We have such beautiful people giving us their time with no payment or compensation – just because they want to. They do it out of love and community mindedness,” said Ms Kay.

Patient visitor volunteers are paired with patients based on the needs of the whānau, whether that be walking the dog, gardening, collecting groceries, or spending time with the patient while the caregiver takes a couple of hours respite.

Ōpōtiki Hospice volunteer Doris Petersen has been a patient companion volunteer for 17 years.

“I’d just given up work, and my friend Pip Picken joined at the same time. Hospice gave us training.

“It’s about being there to give families time off, to be company for the patient and a companion to those that are sick,” she said.

She would “absolutely” recommend volunteering to others.

It typically takes an hour or two a week, depending on the patient’s situation.

“When you can support a family in need – and a lot need that support – it doesn’t take a lot of your time, and you make some wonderful contacts,” she said.

Mrs Petersen has organised several fundraisers, including garden parties, fashion shows, and most notably, a golf tournament every two years.

Last year’s tournament raised $6000 for hospice.

“Our locals and local businesses are always so generous with their sponsorship,” she said.

With almost a decade as a life story writer, Waihau Bay’s Victoria Radley said it’s a privilege to be trusted with someone else’s story.

Her friend was a life story writer about to move out of the area, and recommended she try the volunteer role so Ōpōtiki would still have a volunteer in the position.

Before she started, she had already experienced a similar process in her family.

“Before my mum died, I wrote with her – it was the most amazing process, and incredibly important for her.

“I can see how important it will be for her grandchildren and great grandchildren; it’s a really special thing to be involved in.”

She said the service was sought-after and is completed within three months.

“We usually make 10 to 12 visits, and there are no rules. Everyone is different, and everybody wants their story told in a different way,” she said.

After each visit, she transcribes the section and brings back the written copy to the patient to check everything is correct and told in the way they want.

Pictures are organised, captioned and checked via the same process.

When the story is complete, another volunteer proofreads the book, and it is sent to Mann Printing for design and printing.

“Once it is complete, I collect the book from Mann Printing and I get to gift it to the family,” she said.

Extra copies can be ordered by the patient directly from Mann Printing, but the first copy is covered by Hospice.

“It’s not hard, it just takes time,” she said.

“It would be really good to have other people in Ōpōtiki. It’s just me at the moment.

“Hospice offer the most amazing support to patients and volunteers; it’s a really awesome organisation that makes some amazing things happen.”

Anyone wanting to offer their services to hospice can do so by contacting volunteer coordinator Jane Kay by calling 027 203 9954 or emailing [email protected].