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Brought to you by Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora – Southern and WellSouth primary health network

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Volunteer South

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    Volunteer South | Kaitūao o te Taitonga seeks to celebrate, support, and encourage volunteering in the Southern region by connecting people with local volunteering organisations.

    The Supported Volunteering Programme | Tūao Awhina is designed for people who are struggling with mental health and isolation, or who generally have barriers to starting volunteering. We'll help the volunteer explore what's out there and aim to minimise barriers so they can get out in their community alongside other people doing meaningful mahi.

    For more information on Volunteer South and the volunteer organisations they support, please see the Volunteer South website.

    Staff

    Peter Claman - Community Connector (Supported Volunteering)

    Programme

    Supported Volunteering Programme

    Supported Volunteering is designed for people who are struggling with social isolation and mental health, but you don't have to have a specific diagnosis in place to sign up. We know that if you're considering volunteering as a way of getting out into the community, it can be helpful to take some time to explore - and we're happy to support you on your volunteering journey. Here's how:

    1. It’s About You
    We recognise everyone is different, so we're happy to go at your pace. To start off, we'll have a conversation to explore your interests and understand your needs. When you're feeling ready to volunteer, we'll suggest roles that might spark your passion.

    2. Bridging the Gap
    We’ll act as a bridge between you and potential roles. We're happy to find answers to your questions and connect you to the people you're interested in volunteering with before you start something new. This helps to make it clear what you can expect from a role so you can feel confident before you commit.

    3. Keeping in Touch
    We know that the first day in a new role is just the start of your volunteering journey, so we'll keep in touch with you as you volunteer. We'll talk about how the role is going, whether volunteering is helping you meet your goals, and whether you need to make any changes. If you need our help, we're here to support your decisions.

    Charges

    The Supported Vounteering Programme is funded by Te Whatu Ora and is free to access.

    Age groups

    • Youth / Rangatahi
    • Adult / Pakeke
    • Older adult / Kaumātua