Kāpiti Cottage - Volunteer Story Celebration 2024 Winners

Our team of volunteers drive for us, assist with activities and help with lunches - all go above and beyond what we expect.

We run a day activity centre for the elderly here in Paraparaumu and pick many of our people up each day in our vans. We have volunteers Chrissy, Beatrice, Robert and Graham who take time out to drive for us during the week as we prepare for the day ahead.

Alison, Marina, Trisha and Theresia help us with our activity programme - this enables us to offer a wider variety of activities such as board games, indoor bowls, quizzes or just a chat ensuring that everyone has a chance to do something they enjoy.

Finally our kitchen helpers Helen, Sheree and Vaughan work hard to serve, clear up and keep things going during our busiest time of the day.

The main way they all make a difference is by helping to ensure the day goes smoothly - some of our people have dementia and a special type of person is needed - our volunteers are all cheerful, easy going and adaptable - happy to do other tasks if we need it and great listeners!

If we are short staffed they will come in extra days if they can, if we are having a party or special afternoon tea they will stay longer to serve out and always they have a listening ear and cheerful word for everyone. In a way we are like an extended family.

As we at Kāpiti Cottage provide day activities mainly for people with dementia, we are so happy to have our many volunteers that assist in so many ways from driving, lunch assistance, and activities. With a small amount of paid staff we value our volunteers immensely.

They love coming to the Cottage and engaging with our clients. They all bring love, dedication and happiness to Kāpiti Cottage.