VOLUNTEER HUTT YOUTH PROGRAMME Youth volunteers bring enthusiasm energy encouragement

Volunteer Hutt in collaboration volunteers from Wainuiomata High with the Ministry of Youth School assisted in many areas including Development and Hutt City Council information and registration, and the Community Development, has been swim, cycle and run courses. Several running a youth programme to explore volunteers even started at 6am, an and create possibilities for youth unusually early start on a Saturday involvement in volunteering in Hutt morning for them. City. TheVolunteer Hutt Youth TheYouth Programme at Programme is already proving a great Volunteer Hutt continues to grow, success with last month’s Hutt Valley with more volunteers and more Disabled Resources Trust (HVDRT) opportunities arising for them to be TriAbility Triathlon the latest event active in their community. Seventy to utilise the skills and abilities of people have registered with the the Hutt Valley’s youth to benefit all ment whilst being courteous to the programme since October. Many involved. diversity of athletes that took part.’ assisted with Christmas events This year’s inaugural HVDRT TheYouth Programme matches including Birthright Children’s TriAbility Triathlon was held in young people aged 12–24 who would Christmas party, Refugee Services Wainuiomata’s William Jones like to support the community with Family Picnic, Jackson St Project and Park accommodating almost 100 organisations that need volunteers. the Alicetown Community Family day. participants and their families, The programme provides an After being advertised through their friends, and supporters for a fun and opportunity for the youth involved school communities, students from challenging sporting event. Volunteers to gain experience, confidence, and a Wainuiomata High School and Chilton were an essential ingredient of this greater understanding of their local Saint James have come forward to be event with Volunteer Hutt’s Youth community. involved in the programme and many Programme to the fore. Many young people want to help others have responded to Volunteer ‘The HVDRT TriAbility Triathlon others, and offer their services to the Hutt’s weekly advertisement in the is like no other that I know of, in that community but there are relatively Hutt News. it encourages competitors to enter few openings for their involvement. Recently, Oosh Multimedia created independently or alongside their Volunteer Hutt is encouraging a promotional video for the programme training buddy/buddies to continue organisations within the not-for- which will be shared with schools their mutual support of each other,’ profit sector to listen to what youth and youth groups to encourage and says Charlie Holland, Project Manager perceive they have to offer, and are promote youth volunteering. The video for HVDRT and Event Co-ordinator for working alongside both parties to is featured on the Volunteer Hutt the TriAbility event. achieve positive outcomes through Facebook page which you can follow ‘The youth volunteers brought volunteering. for up-to-date information about enthusiasm, energy, and encourage­ At the TriAbility Triathlon event, opportunities to get involved.

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if they wanted to. We thought the best way to do that would be through Susan something comedic, so I wrote a sketch to encourage people to volunteer in a funny way.’ Fellows Being part of the production company Oosh Multimedia meant that Vinny had the skills and resources at ❝It’s good being hand to create an attention-grabbing there for others, and and entertaining video that is ideal you can make some for sharing on social media, an ideal method for connecting with young new friends.❞ people and spreading the word about the programme. Reflecting on the variety of After seeing an opportunity to volunteering opportunities was one participate in the Volunteer Hutt objective Vinny had for the video. Youth Programme advertised in ‘There’s heaps of different things you the Wainuiomata High School daily can do. We are hoping to make people notices, SUSAN FELLOWS volunteered understand that maybe you could as part of the Youth Crew for the Vinny volunteer to do something you are Hutt Valley Disabled Resources Trust really interested in and would like to do Triability event. as a career. If they can see that it could A multi-sport event for all Ritossa levels of ability, especially those help them in the future and they would also be helping people, that’s a good with disabilities, Triability needed volunteers to help the event run ❝ way to get young people interested in They wanted to reach it,’ suggests Vinny. smoothly. Susan, along with other out to younger As for Vinny and Oosh Multimedia, volunteers from Wainuiomata High volunteers and asked if making the video was a worthwhile School helped direct competitors along effort in itself. ‘We love making films race paths and between event locations. I could do anything that and it’s always good to practice.’ The Equally important was cheering on would help inspire writing, shooting and editing of the and supporting the competitors, and young volunteers to get video took around two days in total. helping to make the day a great success for them. out there.❞ The product of this is a valuable tool in promoting volunteering to young Arriving at 6:30am to help with the people, in a format which can be viewed set-up and working throughout the day and distributed online (YouTube and until the afternoon prize giving, Susan VINNY RITOSSA heard about the Facebook) in an effective way. Adds felt the event was a good experience for Volunteer Hutt Youth Programme Vinny ‘Volunteering is a good cause. her. ‘It’s good being there for others, through a family friend. This led to him Without volunteers, organisations and you can make some new friends.’ supporting the programme by using wouldn’t be able to run a lot of events. She is already aware of the importance his skills in video production to make I think volunteers are an undervalued of being active in the community, a short promotional video targeting resource.’ n saying ‘I’m used to volunteering – my young people. Dad helps with Scouting, the Lions ‘They wanted to reach out to and Grey Power and I go along and younger volunteers, and asked if I could help them with fundraising.’ She also do anything that would help inspire believes more information in the young volunteers to get out there,’ says careers centre of schools would be Vinny. ‘We wanted to create a video valuable and encourage more students that would inspire young people to get interested in taking the next step to out there and volunteer, or at least give volunteer. n them information on how to volunteer

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responsibility, was new.’ The party was a great opportunity for Nina to assist Jessica a community group with a short-term commitment and a beneficial way to spend her summer break from school. Barnes ‘I had all these holidays and there was nothing to do.’ Nina’s tasks included writing ❝I’ve had the ongoing visitor’s names in the guestbook and support I needed, plus giving them information about the the right amount of event. The activities included a treasure hunt. ‘They went up and down Jackson being hands-off, Street. I gave chocolates to the shops allowing me to learn to give out to the children when they and grow in the role solved the clues, and then the children would come back to me for more clues.’ myself.❞ Being relied upon to complete these duties was also a learning experience. After two years out of the workforce, ‘I’m not the most organised person, I JESSICA BARNES decided that kind of had to learn to be organised.’ volunteer work would be a good Having fun while working, made Nina stepping stone to get back into paid for an even more positive experience. employment. ‘I saw the ad in the ‘It was really fun. They transformed Pilcher Hutt News and thought it might be the historic jail into a Santa’s grotto; interesting. I had done a little bit it’s normally a museum. The children of writing in college but it had been would come and get photos with Santa.’ ❝ awhile,’ says Jessica about taking It was possibly the Gaining skills that will be useful up a role as a youth writer for the first time I had anything when looking for work in the future Volunteer Hutt Youth Programme. was another reason Nina took on a resembling a job, After interviewing her first volunteer job. volunteer and working on her profile, where I had a lot of ‘It was great for the experience and Jessica was pleased to hear her writing responsibility. I’m not I met a lot of really awesome people.’ was well received at Volunteer Hutt. To other young people who might be the most organised ‘It’s been so long since I had really considering a similar volunteer role, person, I kind of had to written anything. it was enjoyable to Nina says ‘Do it. It’s a really good get back to that and I’ve felt a certain learn to be organised.❞ experience, a great way to get working level of accomplishment in having done experience.’ it.’ Her first involvement in The first one was Nina and she felt For NINA PILCHER, learning about volunteering is unlikely to be her last. she did a ‘good job’ on that. The process responsibility and organisation were ‘I’d definitely do it again. Helping has allowed Jessica to improve her just a few of the personal benefits people was big thing for me. The kids interviewing skills and as a result, her gained from volunteering through the were really excited, I remember seeing writing. ‘I found it quite difficult to Volunteer Hutt Youth Programme. them come in and feeling it was so start off with. I was surprised by how She assisted at the Jackson Street cool I was helping with this thing and difficult it can be to get information Programme Christmas Festivities it meant so much to them.’ Knowing from some of the younger people. Some and the experience was a valuable and that you can make a difference is an of them were quite closed books in a enjoyable one. invaluable lesson for young people, way. I think I’ve found over time I’ve ‘It was possibly the first time I had something Nina certainly took away been able to draw more out of each anything resembling a job, where I from her role with the Jackson person I’ve spoken to and I think that’s had a lot of responsibility,’ says Nina. Street Programme. ‘Being part of the just learning interview skills, the right ‘The whole experience of having community was really awesome.’ n a boss of sorts, the idea of having questions to ask, when to talk and

www.volunteerwellington.org.nz VOLUNTEER HUTT YOUTH PROGRAMME when to not talk rather than filling the silences myself.’ Anjali Sam A highlight of her experience working with Volunteer Hutt has been the support provided by manager Tyagi Taylor Katie Terris, and the programme co- ordinator Dianne McKellar. ‘I’ve had the ongoing support I needed, plus ❝It’ s very important for ❝Due to his Asperger’s, the right amount of being hands-off, international students Sam has had trouble allowing me to learn and grow in coming in to go for a with social interaction the role myself. After the first few interviews, I started contacting and volunteer job first.❞ which can make it setting them up myself. I’ve been given difficult to fit into some the freedom within the role to set my working environments. own pace and take responsibility for After arriving in New Zealand from the work I produce.’ India one year ago, ANJALI TYAGI is ‘I have learned a little Eventually, Jessica started as a continuing her search for paid work more how to deal with regular interviewer in the office, and and has taken up volunteer work in others.❞ was able to learn more about how the the meantime. ‘It’s a bit difficult to get organisation worked. ‘I like being in a job here. I’m looking everywhere.’ With a desire to get some New Zealand the office and knowing how Volunteer SAM TAYLOR came to Volunteer work experience to put on her CV and Hutt works. It’s slightly different to Hutt from Q-Nique, an organisation after a recommendation from a friend, my youth writer experience, but a providing services to those with Anjali came to Volunteer Hutt for an nice complement to it.’ In addition to mental illness, addiction or health interview and picked out a few roles interviewing and profile writing, she and disability needs. Sam had been she was interested in. She soon took has also been accompanying the Youth diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome up a role with The Foundation of Youth Programme Co-Ordinator to meetings and had trouble finding paid Development working as an office with organisations that are potential employment. ‘They recommended I administrator working six hours a week sources for youth volunteer roles to start volunteering because people look on tasks such as data entry, calling learn about the programme. at volunteers and see you’ve actually students, excel spread sheeting and ‘That’s an experience I hadn’t had been doing something and that’s sorting information packs. before, being able to see the setting awesome,’ says Sam. Although she is looking to up of the relationships between ‘I had been looking for data entry eventually work in a different field, organisations; it’s been really work but there wasn’t anything Anjali feels she has benefitted from her interesting seeing what it takes to available, then they said they had a voluntary work. ‘I’m more comfortable run the programme.’ Developing role playing board games with the interacting with people and it has skills to help in her search for paid elderly.’ Sam smiles broadly ‘I heard helped in getting the accents because work is one of the benefits the role ‘board games!’ and I heard ‘scrabble!’ my accent is completely different from has given Jessica, she says. ‘I feel that I hadn’t played in years but I thought kiwis.’ She has also referred two friends volunteering, and being able to put playing board games for work would be to Volunteer Hutt to find volunteer that on your CV is a positive sign that awesome.’ work also and would recommend it you have taken the initiative to do Upon taking up the role, Sam to others looking to gain experience something other than wait. It’s such a found he wasn’t going to get any easy or occupy themselves during their difficult job market so I feel like taking opponents. He regularly faces a tough search for paid employment. ‘It’s very a volunteer role is a step to help in competitor named Beryl, who has n important for international students putting myself out there.’ been playing scrabble her whole life. ‘I coming in to go for a volunteer job try to stay as close to her as possible, first.’ n she’s good. Honestly it’s a heck of a challenge.’ Despite the enjoyable nature of the work, Sam knows it’s valuable

www.volunteerwellington.org.nz VOLUNTEER HUTT YOUTH PROGRAMME assistance for the residents who really furniture together and put away the benefit from the mental stimulation. Emma kitchen necessities, made the beds. ‘I like the idea of helping to keep their Things to make it a home.’ minds working as well.’ The residents Emma took on the responsibility have plenty of knowledge to pass on Gough of being the go-to person to liaise to Sam also. ‘I used to use up my U on between her fellow students and the other words but Beryl taught me to Youth Programme Co-ordinator, hold it until you get a Q. Don’t waste ❝Definitely give it a go, Dianne McKellar. ‘Everything kind of it.’ Listening is a big part of the role, because if you do one came through me so if there were any says Sam. ‘Beryl is quite amusing and activity you’re gonna problems it would be me who dealt with quite tough. She is very interesting, that and I also organized the transport sometimes we just sit there and talk find that you love it and and made sure everyone was ok.’ about all kinds of things from ages you are gonna apply Clearly enjoying volunteering and past. I think ‘wow, you know so many yourself to so many its personal benefits, Emma has several things’. The most awesome part of the other volunteer efforts to her name. job isn’t the scrabble itself; it’s the more things.❞ A volunteer coach at the Maungaraki conversations with the people.’ Tennis Club, she has also been coaching Due to his Asperger’s, Sam has and managing badminton at Hutt The Hutt Valley High School Service had trouble with social interaction Valley High School for four years. Council encourages students to which can make it difficult to fit into Since taking on her leadership role in participate in community service. By some working environments. ‘ I have the Service Council, Emma has been linking up with Volunteer Hutt new learned a little more how to deal with working to get others engaged. opportunities have been made for others,’ says Sam and he recommends ‘I love the experience especially young people to experience service volunteering to others in a similar when I get to do the activities and not through volunteering. position. ‘When I came in they had just organise them, but for me one of Service is a new area in the school a huge list of volunteer roles. There my biggest goals has been allowing added to the current Cultural and Sport are volunteer jobs that could actually other people to experience what programmes. After meeting with the get you skills for the jobs you need. kind of (positive)feelings come with Volunteer Hutt Youth Programme Volunteering also allows you to meet volunteering. That has been my push Co-Ordinator, the service council new people, if they like you then to get more people involved.’ In her was keen to get involved with some you’ve made a contact that might final year of college this year, don’t of the events that Volunteer Hutt had know of other jobs, it’s all about that expect Emma to slow down her passion planned. networking.’ for service. ‘I imagine I’ll be doing a Service Council leader EMMA Sam is also taking the initiative to significant amount (post school). I want GOUGH has been a dedicated volunteer move toward paid employment. ‘I’m to go to Victoria University and I know for several years and has assisted considering orderly work at hospitals they’ve got a programme where service in the organisation of the students but I wasn’t sure how to do it. One of counts for quite a lot of a certificate, so volunteering. ‘First of all we did the the recommendations from the HR I’ll definitely be keeping that up.’ King of the Hill. I didn’t actually go, but department at the District Health Emma’s hard work and commitment I organised the whole thing. We had 13 Board was to have the sort of skills is no doubt an inspiration for other students go and help out as marshals people look for in an old folk’s home, young people and her advice to those on the day. My job was organizing them and where am I currently working? I who haven’t volunteered before is to and making sure they were there, that can now go and ask the manager what ‘Definitely give it a go, because if you do they knew what they were doing,’ says kind of things they would look for one activity you’re gonna find that you Emma of her role in co-ordinating the when hiring someone for a job, then I love it and you are gonna apply yourself team for the local athletic event. can work on learning those skills so I to so many more things. I think it’s ‘We’ve also done the refugee house can go for the orderly job.’ When asked really important, a great experience set up which was 10 students and we what advice he would give potential and youth should definitely be a part were working with Volunteer Hutt young volunteers, Sam replied ‘Take it of it.’ n and the Red Cross. We went in and as an opportunity to network, and have arranged the houses that the refugees fun.’ n would be staying in, so we put all the

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sounded interesting and like something It’s no wonder then that assisting Caleb to do.’ to set up community events has At the Volunteer Hutt office, Caleb been a great match for Caleb, and an and his friend filled out their volunteer experience that keeps him coming back Flynn registration forms and talked with an to volunteer again. ‘The most recent interviewer about what type of events one I did was a marathon set-up. I enjoy they might like to volunteer at. His first them because you get to meet different ❝The most recent one role was in Petone at the historic jail, types of people; it’s interesting to I did was a marathon helping to set up for the Jackson Street see what kinds of people enjoy doing set-up. I enjoy them Programme Christmas functions. community service. I usually come Further Christmas events followed and early to set up and it’s something to do because you get to Caleb has continued to put his hand on a Sunday or a Saturday.’ meet different types of up for volunteer roles, with over seven Caleb noticed many of the young people … You gotta different events now added to the list. people volunteering were doing so ‘I liked the second event a lot. There for Duke of Edinburgh commitments make sacrifices for were lots of people there. Me and Tom or school service requirements, but some things.❞ were in charge of the sports things; believes others would sign up if they we set up games and supervised. Most knew more about what was involved. of them were children under 12 and As he puts it, ‘It’s pretty cool, but you The concept of organised volunteering they just wanted to run around. We don’t know that when people say you was new to CALEB FLYNN when he also set up food and helped pack up should sign up for it.’ Furthermore, came to Volunteer Hutt along with his after.’ Attending Scots College when the occasional early start doesn’t friend Tom who needed to fulfil the he started volunteering, Caleb is now seem to bother him. After meeting community service requirement for at the Weltec Trades Academy and it for an interview at 9:30 on a Saturday his Duke of Edinburgh Award. Tom’s is clear where his interests lie. ‘I’m not morning, he humorously declared he’s mother brought him along and asked bad at academics but I’m more of a not usually a morning person but, Caleb to come too. Says Caleb, ‘I just practical person. I prefer doing physical ‘You gotta make sacrifices for some went along because they asked me work and more hands on stuff than things.’ n if I wanted to come, and I thought it sitting behind a desk.’

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