Hato Hone St John is honouring its volunteers throughout National Volunteer Week (June 18-24) and has encouraged all New Zealanders to join in expressing thanks and appreciation.

The organisation has more than 8,000 volunteers across the country, and the Wānaka App spoke to one of them: ambulance operations and Patient Transfer Services volunteer Kaj Christensen, who has volunteered for 18 years.

Kaj is based in Canterbury but stays at Glendhu Bay when in Wānaka and has been volunteering here on the first response unit during the Christmas period for about seven years.

“Wānaka is my favourite station,” he said.

“Wānaka has a shortage of volunteers but a very good culture and a friendly bunch to work with. They’ve made me so welcome.”

Kaj’s father was a volunteer for St John for 55 years, which was a catalyst for Kaj to start volunteering.

“I’ve always had a passion for it,” he said. “I enjoy the challenge, I enjoy giving back to the community.”

He said Wānaka has become “way more popular” over the years and ambulance workloads have also increased.

“It’s such a massive area: Hāwea, Lindis Pass, Cromwell, over to Queenstown,” he said.

“It’s a real struggle these days to find volunteers to do shifts. It’s the same ones putting their hands up. In small communities like Wānaka the people that turn up are dedicated, they have a community spirit.”

Kaj said volunteers don’t need any experience as St John offers a rigorous training programme.

“Once you get on board there’s so many different trainings online, and we have regular training at least every two weeks.”

People skills are “huge” in St John, he said.

“Someone in a uniform turns up, nice friendly voice. It’s about getting the person’s confidence.

“You put on that uniform and there’s such pride in wearing it.”

St John national operations manager Charli Timms quotes American author Elizabeth Andrew: “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they just have the heart.”

She said this year’s theme - Time to Shine - is fitting as emergency ambulance and event health services volunteers shine every time they wear their green uniform with pride and head out to care for people in communities across the country.

St John wouldn’t be able to do what it does without volunteers, she said.  

“Our incredible people go out of their way to give back in the most selfless way, working side-by-side to achieve some amazing mahi. Their contribution makes such a difference in so many lives and is invaluable to Hato Hone St John and the communities they serve.”

Anyone interested in volunteering with St John can find more information here.

Volunteer South, one of 17 volunteer centres in New Zealand, is also encouraging organisations that involve volunteers to thank them for the difference they make and the impact they have in their communities.

“We encourage volunteer leaders to give their volunteers a big shout out this National Volunteer Week at a special thank you event on social media or perhaps shout them a morning tea,” Volunteer South regional lead Gillian White said.

Volunteering is known to have a huge range of benefits to an individual's wellbeing and the wider community, so the team at Volunteer South are encouraging anyone inspired to Volunteer to reach out. 

“We have a team of Community Connectors who will happily help people find a role that sparks their interest. With nearly 400 roles currently being promoted on our website there really is something for everyone,” Gillian said.

PHOTO: Supplied