News release
June 12, 2009

Volunteer of the Year is one in a million…

Statistics New Zealand figures reveal that nearly one million New Zealanders volunteer for a charity or worthy cause every year, donating 270 million unpaid hours.

Last nith, one of those volunteers was named Volunteer of the Year at the inaugural Intrepid Travel National Volunteer Awards in Auckland.

Bridgit Bretherton-Jones, who volunteers for Preventing Violence in the Home, received the award after having volunteered for the past five years at the country’s biggest anti-violence agency.

As a 24-hour volunteer advocate working in west Auckland, Bridgit visits clients who have been a victim of domestic assault. In their homes or at the hospital or the police station, Bridgit provides emotional support, creates a safety plan and informs clients of their legal rights.

Preventing Violence in the Home has been offering crises support to the victims of domestic violence and professional education to communities throughout the country for almost 20 years and works on joint case management of high-risk families with the New Zealand Police.

The organisation’s development director Mary Zefirelli says Bridgit has been pivotal in mentoring new volunteers and assisting them in developing their own skills in the field.

“Her ability to remain cheerful and compassionate when being called out from her bed at 2am on a cold winter’s morning to visit a client on the other side of Auckland underscores her commitment to victims of domestic violence.

“She has fulfilled her role with distinction and embodies all that is special about our volunteer heroes working with victims of domestic violence; regularly facing grim situations it the small hours of the morning without complaint and bringing hope to children and adults devastated by domestic violence.”

Bridgit was presented with the award by Hon. Tariana Turia, Minister Voluntary and Community Sector.

The programme also presented a highly commended award to Christchurch resident Michael Turner, who volunteers for The New Zealand Spinal Trust.

Michael contracted cerebral palsy when he was eight, which impacted his hand-eye coordination and ability to walk and speak. A desire to make a positive contribution to the community has seen him volunteer, through the Trust, to empower New Zealanders with spinal cord impairment to live independent, confident and productive lives.

Intrepid Travel National Volunteer Awards invited charities to nominate their top volunteers and the five category winners (listed below) were determined by public vote from a pool of 20 last month. More than 3000 people voted through the website www.gomad.co.nz .

National Volunteer Awards category winners:

Category/Volunteer/Charity/Region
Emergency services and international aid/Kate Findley/Child Fund/Taupo
Family and social services/Bridgit Bretherton- Jones/Preventing Violence in the Home
/Auckland
Environment, conservation and animal welfare/Stacey Freeman/WSPA/Auckland
Health and disability services/Michael Turner/Spinal Trust/Christchurch
Sport and Arts/Sandi Morrison/ART/Auckland
(North Shore)

The awards were held in the lead-up to Volunteer Awareness Week (June 14-20), which aims to highlight volunteering and the wide range of volunteering roles available within the community.

Volunteering is worth $3.31 billion to New Zealand’s economy and the combined efforts of charities and volunteers contribute 4.9 per cent to the country’s gross domestic product.

Social marketing manager for Good magazine Gavin Healy, who developed the volunteer recognition programme, says thanking the country’s volunteers is now more important than ever, as volunteers are critical to society during recession.

“We urgently need to promote the importance of the volunteer and non-profit sector during the downturn, as funding is in decline while demand for social services is increasing,” says Healy.

ENDS

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