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Waikato DHB Celebrates Boom in Immigrant Volunteers
Thursday 20 June
Waikato DHB Celebrates Boom in Immigrant Volunteers
As Waikato DHB celebrates its
215 volunteers this National Volunteer Week
(16-22 June), it also recognises an “exciting trend”
that volunteer co-ordinator Chris Atkinson says is “of mutual
benefit to the DHB and those recruited.”
In the last year Waikato DHB has experienced notable growth in its number of volunteers from around the world. In the last three months alone, immigrants have made up for nearly half of all volunteers recruited.
“Volunteering is a great pathway for those who are new into the country. It provides a snapshot of the community you are going into; it’s a chance to develop networks and meet others; and offers an environment to practice and improve English skills,” Mrs Atkinson said.
Waikato Hospital’s newest volunteer Emel Okur came to New Zealand from Turkey with a PhD in adult education, but “a set of skills that mostly related to my own country,” she said.
“I have been looking for a job for months but finding employment in New Zealand has been very hard. I am still learning the history, the skills, the innuendos of this country.”
Many employees suggested Emel take up volunteering.
And after applying for positions through Volunteering Waikato, Emel is now positioned in the Waikato Hospital Waikids Playroom supporting the work of the play specialists and working one on one with paediatric patients.
With nine years of paediatric nursing experience under her belt, Emel is grateful for her new position.
“I have good relationships with kids and this matches my experience. This, and my other two volunteering positions, will keep me busy while I continue to look for full time employment,” she said.
And according to Mrs Atkinson, “many use volunteering as an opportunity to find work, and many are successful.”
“During National Volunteer Week I would like to take the opportunity to thank all our volunteers – those from New Zealand and around the world – for the wonderful contribution they make to our organisation,” she said.
Waikato DHB is celebrating National Volunteer Week with tours of the new Older Persons and Rehabilitation Building, competitions and awards.
National Volunteer Week is New Zealand’s largest celebration of volunteering and civic participation. The theme for 2013 NVW is: “He tāngata, He tāngata, He tāngata!” Translated as “it is people, it is people, it is people,” this theme recognises people as the life force of volunteering.
New Zealand is the leading nation in volunteer levels with volunteers contributing 270 million hours of formal, unpaid work – this time was valued at $3.31 billion.
ENDS
Waikato District Health Board
Healthy People. Excellent Care
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) employs over 6500 people and plans, funds and provides hospital and health services to more than 391,770 people in a region covering eight per cent of New Zealand.
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