Put your skills to good use

Chris Neilson gets restless when he has nothing to do – which isn’t something he lets happen often!

The Pyes Pa, Tauranga, resident has been volunteering for various Not-for-Profit organisations since he retired in 2015.

“Keeping the mind active is the number one thing for me, health-wise,’ he says. Sadly his mother passed away from dementia, making Chris painfully aware of how important it is to maintain mental capacity.

When Chris was in paid employment he worked in Information Technology and Finance. Today he puts his skills to good use in his volunteer roles.

The local volunteering centre helped match Chris’ skills to positions such as treasurer of a Junior Football Club and secretary of a foster care association. He also helps out doing regular weekly laundry runs for a local hospice. He’s glad that he can give back to the community and often finds that when he joins clubs for fun and leisure he just can’t help himself, and ends up volunteering to help do work, such as maintain the grounds.

He also regularly volunteers on charity appeal days, collecting for organisations such as Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day and Blind Foundation’s Red Puppy Appeal.

Chris recommends volunteering to others as it is very rewarding and helps to keep the body and mind active. As a bonus, it’s also a great opportunity to meet new people.

If you want to know more about volunteering, visit your local Volunteer Centre today and find out how you can help in your community. And for readers who already volunteer: why not share your experiences in the comments?

Volunteering Bay of Plenty work to increase the quality and quantity of volunteering in the area and provide information, support and guidance to potential and existing volunteers and to Not for Profit Organisations. Check out our website at www.volbop.org.nz or phone us on (07) 571 3714 Monday-Thursday 10am-2pm.