Age Concern Taranaki

Wendy Richards from Volunteering New Plymouth

Graham Ault, Volunteering New Plymouth’s volunteer show interviewer & I had the privilege of having Marcia Millard the Visiting Service Co-Ordinator from Age Concern Taranaki as a guest on our Radio show Volly Voices with Access Radio Taranaki 104.4FM which is aired on Sundays at 2pm.

Do you know what Age Concern Taranaki offer??

In Taranaki they have several programmes servicing from Waitara in the North to Patea in the South – however we are today focusing on the just one of these the Visiting Services.

In the heart of Taranaki, Age Concern Taranaki is making significant strides in combating loneliness among our older population through its dedicated Visiting Service.
This initiative pairs volunteers with seniors who seek companionship, fostering meaningful connections that enrich lives on both sides. In essence, they are bringing generations together with this service

The Service: This is a befriending program designed for individuals who are aged 65 and over who may feel isolated or desire more social interaction.
Volunteers can be any age and not necessarily over 65. All volunteers are carefully vetted, reference checked and trained. The requirement is a commitment to spending about an hour each week with their matched senior, engaging in conversations and shared activities.
These visits often occur in the comfort of the senior's home, providing a consistent and friendly presence in their lives.

Meaningful Matches: A key strength of the program lies in its thoughtful matching process.
The Visiting Service Coordinator, Marcia, ensures that volunteers and seniors are paired based on shared interests, cultural backgrounds, and personalities.
This careful alignment fosters genuine friendships and ensures that both parties find the experience rewarding.

The Impact: Regular visits have shown to significantly improve the well-being and happiness of older individuals.
For volunteers, the experience offers a sense of fulfillment and the joy of making a positive difference in someone's life. With over 50 volunteers currently engaged across Taranaki, the program is a testament to the community's commitment to its senior members.

Getting Involved: The importance of social connections for our elderly population is paramount and we encourage community members to participate in this impactful program.
If you or someone you know could benefit from this service, or if you're interested in becoming a volunteer, Age Concern Taranaki welcomes your involvement.
Referrals can be made by individuals, families, or health professionals, with the consent of the person being referred.
The organisation provides ongoing support and training to ensure a positive experience for all participants.

What is involved in becoming a volunteer? You will work as part of an amazing team and be equipped with training and resources.

What's the time commitment? Most volunteers visit with one senior each week. Volunteers also commit to initial training and ongoing update meetings.

What skills do I need? You need to be a good communicator and able to engage respectfully and comfortably with people who may have hearing or memory loss, be patient, and able to treat the diverse seniors with dignity, respect and confidentiality as well as bring a cheerful and friendly demeanour, which can help brighten your senior’s day.


Where can you learn more? If you are keen to learn more about Age Concern Taranaki Visiting Service, this Volly Voice session was aired on Access Radio in May. This show is also available to listen to on Spotify and Apple Podcast the following week after the show has aired. Go to 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 this sounds interesting to you, then contact us at Volunteering New Plymouth by emailing Wendy at admin@vnp.nz.
If you do not have access to the internet, then contact Wendy by phoning 06 758 8986 or Ph/text 022 571 4228 for more information.