Volunteer Voice

When Joy and Murray ‘retired’ from Dunedin to Alexandra it wasn’t long before they were giving back to their local community by volunteering at Ranui care home and Club Enliven in Alexandra.

How long have you been volunteering and what do you do?

Joy: I have been volunteering for six years. I help with morning tea, activities such as Housie, resident advocacy and any outings. Murray and I help at Club Enliven on Thursdays.

Murray: About three years. I help with the Men’s Group once a month. If residents are playing cards or Housie I will help with that and lend a hand where needed.

How did you get involved? 

Joy: A family friend was in the Ranui Activities team and mentioned the need for volunteers. A few years later Murray got involved too.

What do you enjoy about volunteering?

Joy: I enjoy paying back the kindness my parents received when they were in care. Residents have a lot of interesting stories, so I listen and chat, it’s nice to see a smile and make a little difference in their day. A volunteer is someone different to talk to, someone who has time to give them.

Murray: I enjoy seeing how it benefits residents. For example, one lady struggled to keep her Housie board steady because of a tremor, so a magnetic board was organised to keep things in place. I have noticed a big change in her hand-eye coordination, her tremor has reduced and her confidence and independence has grown “in leaps and bounds”, making a difference in other areas like eating and drinking.

How do like to spend your free time?

Joy: We like to get away to the Catlins. And, when we can, we support our grandchildren’s sporting activities.

Murray: I have on old car I’m working on and I do maintenance work on our 1970’s crib.

What advice would you give a new volunteer?

Joy: Take your time, it can take a while to get to know the residents as everyone interacts differently.

Murray: Go with the flow, enjoy the funny stories and personalities.

What staff and residents have to say about Joy and Murray

Staff member Lyn said, “they are an amazing couple to have on board. We just ring and they are here. The interaction Murray provides our Men’s Groups is invaluable. Joy is happy to give extra time, and our residents feel at ease with her. They both interact so well with our residents, I can’t speak highly enough of them.”

Banner image: Murray and Joy Leach, volunteers at Ranui care home and Club Enliven

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