IHC volunteers are gold

Media release

Volunteer Awareness Week

15 – 21 June 2008

IHC volunteers are gold

IHC volunteers throughout the country are being thanked for supporting people with intellectual disabilities to have ordinary lives in the community.

IHC's National Manager Volunteering Karen Roberts said each of the 700 or so volunteers will receive a gold certificate or card thanking them for the amazing job they are doing.

"Some of our volunteers are part of the one-on-one volunteer programme, where a person is 'buddied up' with a person with an intellectual disability.

"Others contribute to IHC through being on a local branch committee, on the board that governs IHC, or helping with fundraising," she says.

IHC volunteers in the one-on-one volunteer programme spend time with people with intellectual disabilities doing a range of activities from meeting for coffee, going to the movies, tramping or just socialising together. They are given training and ongoing support from paid volunteer coordinators.

Volunteers who serve on branch committees and on the Board of Governance play a vital role in the future direction and governance of the organisation.

"This is a very big thank you to all the people who give their time and expertise throughout the year to support people with intellectual disabilities," says Karen.

In New Zealand almost one in 10 people volunteers their time to help non-profit organisations like IHC.

ENDS