Jasmin works 15 hours a week, recruiting and matching volunteers with vacancies, “I spend most of that time responding to volunteer enquiries, advertising volunteer vacancies, building volunteer networks and developing the volunteer programme”. Jasmin is often the first point of contact for a volunteer, but is not always seen by volunteers on a day-to-day basis.

PSO is supported by about 543 volunteers across the region, 17% are one off volunteers in Dunedin that help with projects or events like Octacan. 44% are regular volunteers who support the work we do with older people, providing social engagement and support across nine care homes, three Club Enliven programmes and Visiting Volunteers.

26% volunteer in Family Works, many as adult Buddies, spending shared time with a young person, contributing to their emotional and social well-being. Volunteers are the backbone of the foodbank. Our loyal Stepping Stones volunteers have a positive impact on the mental wellbeing of the participants.

13% of our volunteers are in the retail space, the majority based in Shop On Carroll. They are interacting with customers in the shop or busily working away in the warehouse sorting and pricing goods. Some of these goods are then sent to Shop On St Andrews where volunteers help with the smooth running of the shop.

No matter where our volunteers are based, no two days are the same and it’s a great way to give back to the community and keep socially active.

Our awesome volunteers contribute 65,554 hours per year, that’s 1,260 hours every week! What makes a good volunteer? Anyone reliable, socially engaging that can commit on a regular basis, weekly or fortnightly for 1-2hrs.

Volunteering vacancies

Here are some of the volunteer vacancies we currently have:

Adult mentors, Buddy Programme
throughout Otago, 2 - 3 hrs every week

Afternoon tea assistant, St Andrews, Dunedin
1:30-3:30pm, 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month

Van drivers, Holmdene (Balclutha)
weekdays 2pm - 4pm

Drivers and activity helpers, Club Enliven (Dunedin)
1.5 – 3 hrs per week

Companion visiting, St Andrews (Dunedin)
1 hr per week

Piano players, St Andrews (Dunedin) or Ranui
(Alexandra) 30 min to 1.5 hrs daily, weekly or fortnightly

Activity assistants, St Andrews (Dunedin) or Ranui (Alexandra),
2 hrs per week

Club Enliven activities and van outing assistant, Ranui (Alexandra)
10am - 3pm Thursdays

Walking companions, Ranui (Alexandra)
30 min -1 hr per day, week or fortnight

Friday happy hour, Ranui (Alexandra)
2pm - 4:40pm Fridays

Morning tea helpers, Ranui (Alexandra)
1 hour, morning, weekly or fortnightly

Aspiring Enliven, Various roles in a residential care home (Wanaka)
2 hrs per week or fortnight

Retail shop assistant / Warehouse assistant / Online retail assistant, Shop On St Andrew St or Shop On Carroll (Dunedin) 2 - 4 hrs, daily, weekly, fortnightly or monthly

Fish tank minder / cleaner, Iona (Oamaru)
1 - 3 hrs, every 3 weeks or monthly

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