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Volunteer Workforce Strengthened by Senior Citizens
Friday 7th November
Volunteer Workforce Strengthened by Senior Citizens
Volunteering New Zealand (VNZ) has spoken out against recent claims that the health needs of senior citizens are a financial drain on provincial towns.
Vanisa Dhiru, Chief Executive of VNZ, says no one takes into account the value of the services provided by elderly to the community or the opportunities they create for the local economy.
“The elderly may need more health care, but they also run the groups that hold our communities together.
“Senior Citizens are some of our voluntary organisations’ most valuable recruits. They bring with them time, skills and a practical perspective. The government should account for the benefits of this age group, not just the cost.” Vanisa Dhiru said.
Dhiru’s comments follow a radio interview (Radio NZ National, Nine to Noon, 5 November 2014) with Professor Paul Spoonley examining the demands a growing aging population has on provincial regions and their healthcare systems.
“These groups are not just sitting knitting peggy squares for woollen blankets either,” says Dhiru.
“We have people well over 75 years old doing major environmental work such as tree planting, clearing firewood for raffles, and trapping pests. These are the people running your local foodbanks and getting out into the community offering social services - services that are not paid for by the government.”
“A third of people in the 60-74 age group and just under 35% of those in the 75+ age group complete volunteer work in some capacity shows the Department of Internal Affairs last indicator. So let's stop seeing our older citizens in the narrow light of health or superannuation costs, and shift our focus to the positive work they are doing, unpaid, for the entire country.”
Organised community groups such as Rotary, Grey Power and Super Grans have also made it far easier for communities to access teams of volunteers when they need them, she says.
Volunteering NZ will be discussing the value of volunteers to New Zealand at the A Place to Live conference in Whanganui from the 16-19th November.
For more information visit www.aplacetolive.org.nz.
ENDS
Volunteering New Zealand
Leaders of Volunteering
Volunteering New Zealand (VNZ) is an association of New Zealand organisations that have a commitment to volunteering, such as volunteer centres, national and other organisations.
Volunteering New Zealand's mission is to promote, support and advocate for volunteering.
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