National Volunteer Week Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu honours the collective energies and mana of all volunteers in Aotearoa.
Across Southern there are many volunteers working in the health sector and in the community to grow our people, open minds, open hearts and create joy.
We thrive and are enriched by the goodwill of volunteers and their contribution and impact is recognised and supported.
Here are some stories of our amazing volunteers:
Yurie Shinkai, Happiness House Queenstown
Yuri (Left) with Steph (right) Happiness House Coordinator
In the picturesque town of Queenstown where breath-taking landscapes meet the warmth of community spirit, Yurie Shinkai, a general ward healthcare assistant at Lakes District Hospital, has been making a positive impact on the lives of many through her volunteer work at Happiness House.
After losing her job during the first COVID-19 lockdown, Yurie sought solace in volunteering for a cause she deeply cares about.
A community-based non-profit organisation in the Wakatipu District, Happiness House offers various activities and support to those facing hardship, including a produce day where free food is distributed to those in need. Yurie actively contributes her time to this initiative, recognising the financial challenges many individuals in Queenstown face. She finds great satisfaction in extending a helping hand to those striving to make ends meet.
Reflecting humbly on her volunteer experience at Happiness House, Yurie emphasises the profound sense of belonging she has developed within the community. She acknowledges that volunteering is not just about offering assistance but also about building meaningful connections. As an expat, Yurie finds it captivating to engage in the vibrant tapestry of events unfolding at Happiness House, where she encounters warmth and has the opportunity to meet wonderful people.
Among the most cherished times for Yurie is the Christmas season, when she witnesses the collective efforts of individuals and organisations coming together to donate presents and spread love. Happiness House plays a pivotal role in ensuring that these generous contributions reach families in need within the community. Yurie feels privileged to have played a part in this heart-warming endeavour.
"Volunteering is a remarkable experience that not only allows you to support others but also enables personal growth and fosters a profound connection with your community," Yurie shares. She firmly believes that every small act of kindness goes a long way, and the rewards gained from volunteering are immeasurable.
Emmerson Morgan, Dunedin ED Kiddy Distraction Packs
Emmerson is a familiar face to many staff at Dunedin Hospital Emergency Department (ED). She plays an integral role in the ED Kiddy Distraction Packs project, which aims to bring smiles and ease to children during their ED visits. Inspired by the project's founder, Christine Bates, Emmerson joined the cause and has been making a positive impact ever since.
Working alongside her friend Susanah, Emmerson takes on the task of assembling and delivering the packs to the hospital every week.
The impact of the Kiddy Packs extends as a ripple effect, where every child who receives a pack experiences a moment of respite, and those around them are touched by the resulting positivity. Parents find solace in seeing their children's minds temporarily distracted from their worries, while doctors and nurses can engage with the children more effectively. Moreover, the talented individuals who contribute their time to sew and knit handmade toys feel a deep sense of fulfilment, knowing they are serving their community.
The heart-wrenching loss of Emmerson's stillborn daughter nine years ago led her to embark on a compassionate journey. She fundraised and donated three cuddle cots to the Queen Mary Maternity Unit, and twice a year, she and her family visit the Children's Ward at Easter and Christmas. They bring gifts and toys, spending time with the children and their families in memory of her daughter.
"Doing the Kiddy Packs feels like a natural extension of my relationship with the hospital," she added.
Emmerson emphasises that joy comes not only from the act of giving but also from the positive feedback shared by families who have found comfort in the Kiddy Packs during their time in the ED. Her dedication to helping others has influenced her son, Kees, who actively participates in the delivery process. Kees himself recently received two Kiddy Packs during his time at the ED, which provided a wonderful distraction, Emmerson recalled.
Together, they have also volunteered with organisations such as Age Concern Otago and IHC, lending their helping hands to those in need.
“I would always encourage people to give where they can, there is so much to be gained from it,” Emmerson shares.
You can find out more about ED Kiddy Distraction Packs here.
Shoutout to the amazing Queenstown volunteer bakers!
We would like to extend a special thank-you to Good Bitches Baking Queenstown, who extend their generosity to provide volunteer-made bakery treats for our inpatients at Lakes District Hospital.
It started in February 2022 when Sheena Lees, Registered Social Worker, received an offer from Good Bitches Baking Queenstown that if the hospital would like to receive volunteer-made baking for our inpatients. This was a very pleasant surprise and the offer was gratefully accepted. April 2022 saw the start of deliveries.
Beautiful and delicious bakery surprise for inpatients at Lakes District Hospital, contributed by Good Bitches Baking Queenstown.
The efforts of the bakers are enormous as some are themed to reflect the time of year or a special event. These contributions have often brightened up the patient and their family when seeing and tasting the bakery. On occasions, it has lowered the barrier for some to engage more in discussions about themselves and their health. Everyone looks forward seeing what wonderful bakery surprise has arrived.
The work and thoughtfulness of the volunteer bakers contributes to the hospital truly reflects the saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child.’ Thank you from all of the team and inpatients at Lakes District Hospital.
Congratulations to Good Bitches Baking in this Volunteer Week and for the other fifty-one weeks too.
To find out more about volunteering at Te Whatu Ora Southern click on the following link
How to volunteer | Southern Health | He hauora, he kuru pounamu
