Volunteering New Plymouth
Community Organisation
Community Organisation
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There are many faces to Sustainable Taranaki firstly they are a Not-for-Profit Organisation or as I like to say For Purpose – and today this column will focus on just one of those faces that of Zero Waste Events
As we come into summer there are so many more events that are on offer for us to … View moreThere are many faces to Sustainable Taranaki firstly they are a Not-for-Profit Organisation or as I like to say For Purpose – and today this column will focus on just one of those faces that of Zero Waste Events
As we come into summer there are so many more events that are on offer for us to attend. With these events comes the need to divert waste from landfill and clean up after the event and therefore this time of year is a very busy time for Sustainable Taranaki and their Zero Waste team and volunteers. There are great opportunities for you as a volunteer to attend an event and also ensure that the venue is left clear of rubbish. There are two types of roles with this – there is the educating the public with the waste stations and which bin to put the rubbish– this is a great way to educate yourself, friends and family after you have learnt the current waste and recycle requirements. Then there is the cleanup the day after the event.
The key reason for these roles is to reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfill. Sustainable Taranaki Zero Waste value volunteers time and skills and believe that you can play a significant role in helping Taranaki become more sustainable. Sustainable Taranaki considers every volunteer vital and would be honoured to have you join the team! The following events are looking for volunteer support:
Festival of Lights (FOL) - this started on December 21st,2024 and is on each night till January 26th, 2025 – each night there is a need for people to educate the public in where to put your rubbish.
December 29th and December 30th - Rock the Bowl – I know it is short notice – however there is a need for educators and clean up people
December 31st ,2024 - NYE Party at Butlers Reef – enjoy the local concert and help reduce waste
January 1st, 5th, 19th, 25th and 28th - Seaside Markets at either Ngamotu Beach or Pukeariki Landing. A beautiful, relaxed day out to help reduce waste
January 4th, 2025 - Drax Project & Mitch James at Butlers Reef - again enjoy the great local concert and help reduce waste
January 9th, 2025 - Summer Thieves at Butlers – join the waste warriors and help make this great event the closest possible to Zero Waste
January 11th & 12th 2025 - LAB concert at the Bowl – join the waste warriors to help make this concert the closest to Zero Waste as Possible
January 13th, 2025 - BNZ Breakers at TSB Stadium – join the team and check out this Basketball game while supporting the game to be the best Zero Waste yet
January 16th & 17th 2025 - Timeless Summer Tour at the Bowl help create a Zero Waste record to support more sustainability.
January 25th, 2025 - George FM / DnB at Butlers Reef help reduce waste while enjoying this local concert
February 5th, 2025 - Freestyle Kings at Yarrow Stadium help make this event the closest to Zero Waste possible.
February 21st, 2025 - Faded Friends, Odds On at Butlers Reef – support volunteering for this event will help Taranaki towards our sustainable goals
For all of these volunteer roles there is great support, training, food and plenty of chances to enjoy the event. Plus, it is a great way to meet new people
Sustainable Taranaki provides you with:
• Relevant learning materials and training opportunities
• A safe and friendly volunteering environment
• Acknowledgement and recognition of your contribution to the organisation
Are you home from Uni and looking for volunteering to put onto your CV?
Are you on school holidays and looking for something cool to do to support our environment?
If you are interested in any of these opportunities, then please email taranakiwastewarriors@gmail.com or check out their
website: www.sustainabletaranaki.org.nz...
What are you doing on Sunday at 2pm – do you want to listen to some Christmas music?? Then check out Volly Voices Christmas Special where Hosts Graham and Marie share some Christmas tunes.
At Volunteering New Plymouth, we are all about supporting the community. If you know a Group, Club or … View moreWhat are you doing on Sunday at 2pm – do you want to listen to some Christmas music?? Then check out Volly Voices Christmas Special where Hosts Graham and Marie share some Christmas tunes.
At Volunteering New Plymouth, we are all about supporting the community. If you know a Group, Club or Organisation that could benefit from any support or advice, we are here to help and if we don’t know we are sure to have contacts that will be able to.
If you are walking through Top Town Cinema space and past Access Radio 104.4FM studio check out the ARTspace and see the tiny teddies & hearts hanging on the wall and the tiny teddies in the wicker chair together with the Hardship to Hope Pepi Pod by the wall with all the items that are gifted to young Mums and their newborns – these are a couple of sewing and knitting / crochet projects that are available for people to do in their spare time at home.- this is called volunteering.
The exhibition at Access Radio ARTspace is there to let people know the amazing work that our project volunteers are doing at home, they include: Tiny teddies, Love Letters, Tiny Hearts, Knitted / crochet singlets, booties, beanies, Bag sewing and knitted winter warmers
Also others that are special and are once every couple of weeks for two hours are gardening with Awanui Angels – this is a beautiful project that started with Gabby’s Starlit HOPE parents speaking to us about the tidiness of the cemetery and we now have Angels involved with Awanui Cemetery and supported by the Parks staff. – we so love this project – if you are interested message us to learn more.
The Pepi Pod has a Holdall, which the pillowcases from Alsco are repurposed and make into a carry all for the items included in the Pepi Pod. We have some already cut and pinned ready for sewing currently. There is also an opportunity to knit or crochet a wool blanket to be included with this.
The tiny teddies can be knitted from any wool and we have patterns to share and these, as you will see in the display, come in all shapes, sizes and colours and are so appreciated by the recipients of the Mum & Baby boxes that are gifted by Gabby’s Starlit HOPE they also go to Heart Kids as well as to ED Department of the hospital.
The tiny hearts are gifted to Heart Kids as well as Gabby’s Starlit HOPE for the Mum & Baby Box too.
Then there are the Love letters these are also gifted to Gabby’s Starlit HOPE for boxes that are gifted to children for their hospital rooms and the same for Heart Kids.
Christmas is a special time of year. For many this is the time of year to look at what we would like to do in the coming year. With that in mind and if you are looking at what you could do that is not going to need a huge commitment, why not look at volunteering.
There are many options that you could consider, and we have a database of opportunities that you could check out at. www.volunteeringnewplymouth.org.nz...
As we close for the year we would like to Thank those who have helped us throughout the year; TOI Foundation, Stuff Editor – Matt, NPDC Community and Economic Development Advisors, NPDC Community Development Committee, DIA Community & Volunteer Fund, Primo, Access Radio Taranaki 104.4FM, MAD Media, Starbucks, Marbles, DeliStar, The Wheelhouse, Taranaki Community Law, Lottery Grants Board.
Till next year we hope that you have a happy and safe festive season
Volunteering New Plymouth Wendy, Marie & VNP Board
Who are they and what do they do?
Well, to answer that question and others you may want to listen to Access Radio Taranaki 104.4FM on Sunday December 1st 2024, to hear Gemma share information about all that the Collective can offer Not for Profit – For Purpose Organisations.
But here are … View moreWho are they and what do they do?
Well, to answer that question and others you may want to listen to Access Radio Taranaki 104.4FM on Sunday December 1st 2024, to hear Gemma share information about all that the Collective can offer Not for Profit – For Purpose Organisations.
But here are a few questions and answers to other information you may wish to be informed about to support your organisation.
Who are they? They are communications people volunteering their time to help community organisations with a communications boost. Their services are free, and they are 100 percent volunteer run, from the matchmaking and workshop presenters, through to the communications experts who they match you with.
What do they do? They are a matchmaking service which involves learning what kind of communications support your community organisation might need, then matching you with one of the collective of volunteers who has the right skills for that particular job.
Who do they work with? We at Volunteering New Plymouth have had the privilege of having utilised the services of the wonderful Gemma, who recently completed an assessment on our website. Bringing our attention to a number of modifications that will enhance our visibility and useability going forward.
Others who have benefitted from the services of the collective in a variety of ways are Volunteering Auckland, Wellington Access Radio, Pregnancy Help Inc, Neighbourhood Support New Zealand, Hospice New Zealand, KIDZ NEED DADZ, CAB - Citizens Advice Bureau, Cancer Society, Age Concern New Zealand to name a few organisations that you may recognise.
Where are they operating? This is a nationwide service and they welcome requests from all over Aotearoa. They also run workshops on communications topics, usually in person in Wellington, but can record these for the benefit of those around the regions. Their website is packed to the brim with resources across related topics such as media relations, branding, and social media. This is also where they have amazing templates and information on how to improve your communications. So, no matter where you are in the country, you can seek their support.
Where can you learn more? If you are interested in learning more about Community Comms Collective, visit communitycomms.org.nz and listen to Access Radio on 1st December. This show is also available to listen on Spotify and Apple Podcast - to find these go the either Access Radio Taranaki website and these recordings can be found under Community or to Volunteering New Plymouth website and look under Volunteers and Volly Calls.
Who can you contact?
If you are curious to learn more about what is involved and / or how you can get involved then contact Wendy (Monday to Thursday) at Volunteering New Plymouth on 06 758 8986, Ph/Text: 022 571 4228 or Email: admin@vnp.nz. to take the next step.
Yes that is a true fact and did you also know that this Organisation is the only one in Aotearoa New Zealand dedicated to providing lifelong care and support for children, teens, adults and families impacted by childhood heart conditions? These vital services are provided at no cost to ensure that … View moreYes that is a true fact and did you also know that this Organisation is the only one in Aotearoa New Zealand dedicated to providing lifelong care and support for children, teens, adults and families impacted by childhood heart conditions? These vital services are provided at no cost to ensure that all those impacted will feel supported, informed, educated and connected. The practical and emotional support is vital in helping individuals and families cope with the day-to-day challenges of living with a childhood heart condition.
There are over 40 different types of childhood heart conditions. Nationwide each week 12 children are being diagnosed with a childhood heart condition and over 500 major heart surgeries are carried out on heart kids every year – that is almost 10 per week. Generally these will be for congenital heart disease and are the most common serious birth abnormality in Aotearoa New Zealand.
There are also Acquired Childhood Heart Disease, and this is an issue with a child’s heart that develops after birth. They can be caused by bacterial or viral infections or be the result of chronic diseases or medications that affect other parts of the body.
All these conditions are ones that Heart Kids offer support to and here in Taranaki we are very lucky to have the Wonderful Narelle who is the Family Support Taituarā. She is available to support families through their journey from diagnosis for life. Once a heart kid, always a heart kid. Heart families can be faced with separation, isolation, stress, financial hardship and loneliness during their journey, The future is uncertain, and these families need support, whether it is at home or visits to the local hospitals and / or Auckland’s Starship Children’s Hospital, all these unknown possibilities can be stressful and to know that they are not alone in their journey can be really helpful.
If the little one does require surgery, they receive a Maia Bear which they treasure, however, if they are not requiring surgery Volunteering New Plymouth now have knitters and crocheters who are producing tiny teddies to be gifted to these little ones, and are always grateful to all of these volunteer for the hours they put in to help a little one feel supported and cared about. We also have volunteers who are knitting beanies, booties, cardies and singlets. Volunteers are also required to support Narelle with events and fundraising.
If you would like to hear Narelle talk about the support, she and others around the country offer Heart Kids you can find the recorded session of Volly Voices on Spotify and Apple Podcast - to find these go the either Access Radio Taranaki website where these recordings can be found under Community or to Volunteering New Plymouth website and look under Volunteers and Volly Calls.
Who can you contact?
If you are curious to learn more about what is involved and / or how you can get involved then contact Wendy at (Monday to Thursday) at Volunteering New Plymouth on 06 758 8986, Ph/Text: 022 571 4228 or Email: admin@vnp.nz. to take the next step.
Do you know what they are doing in our community?
Their Vision is:
Taranaki biodiversity is restored to a state where it is visibly healthy and provides significant benefit to communities throughout the region.
Tō tatou taiao – Maranga Papatūānuku is our collective commitment to reach a … View moreDo you know what they are doing in our community?
Their Vision is:
Taranaki biodiversity is restored to a state where it is visibly healthy and provides significant benefit to communities throughout the region.
Tō tatou taiao – Maranga Papatūānuku is our collective commitment to reach a state where Papatūānuku begins to flourish and rise.
This is a very powerful vision for Taranaki as a region and those working in this space fully embrace this Kaupapa.
If you look at their website the first thing you see is our Mounga in the background with:
Take Part
The natural world is our legacy. Every day, action is underway to restore, enhance and protect our unique biodiversity in Taranaki. Be part of making biodiversity thrive in the region, To do this you can go to their Action Hub and sign up to support a project, there are multiple ways that you can become involved, from the gifting of shovels or offering a place for planting of natives, to offering your unique skills and experience to as well as perhaps Organisation know how. By signing up to the action hub you can become part of the bigger picture and make you mahi count.
So why should you be bothered? Let’s start a short list, How about for our kids and grandkids or even great grandkids – and the future world they will be living in. Or perhaps for our community and our own wellbeing into the future, or for all the native plants and animals that make our world a better more beautiful place.
We can make a difference. We can see the difference the trapping efforts have made, bringing more birdsong into our backyards and species like kiwi and kokako being established into areas that they have disappeared from.
This is ongoing mahi and the more effort the more success and you could be part of making this happen by looking to join and supporting the mahi of organisations like Wild for Taranaki. This is the type of project / volunteering that you can be involved with as often as you wish, so no regular commitment is required if that would appeal to you. It is also a volunteering opportunity that you could possibly do with multiple generations and the bonus is that it is an outdoors.
The next event that volunteers are involved with is the Community Snorkel Day – Experiencing Marine Reserves – this is on November 23rd at 12 noon. If you think that you could support this, please make contact.
Where can you learn more? If you are interested to learn more about Wild for Taranaki and their projects, you can listen to:
Volly Voices live on Access Radio Taranaki 104.4fm on Sunday 3rd November at 2pm when Danielle and Victoria chat about what is happening at Wild for Taranaki and the projects that they have and how volunteers can become involved and how they support the community.
This can also be listened to on:
Spotify open.spotify.com...
Apple Podcast podcasts.apple.com...
Access Radio website www.accessradiotaranaki.com...
Volunteering New Plymouth website www.volunteeringnewplymouth.org.nz...
Who can you contact?
If you are curious to learn more about what is involved and or how you can get involved then contact Wendy (Monday to Thursday) at Volunteering New Plymouth on 06 758 8986, Ph/Text: 022 571 4228 or Email: admin@vnp.nz. to take the next step
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