Jean

VOLUNTEER

"Volunteering at Knox means a lot personally, especially from the lessons I've learnt from the residents and helping out. I would have never realised how much I could influence someone's day and life, just by talking to someone. This definitely goes back into my own life and makes me think about the people around me, especially my family."

Maria

RESIDENT

"The volunteers here are marvelous. They take me to the library, help me with my computer and my computer skills. I have a laptop in my room – they help me with presentations and learn typing. These volunteers try their best and have a positive energy to be around. They make me feel safe, help push me around in my chair, and keep me company. They play music that we love to hear."

Kristen

VOLUNTEER

"As a volunteer for Elizabeth Knox of almost four years, I have been fortunate to have been able to build valuable relationships with the residents. The conversations and the friendliness of the warm-hearted residents have given me the confidence to improve my communication skills, focusing on companionship. Every moment spent means listening to the wonderful stories and helping the residents when they are in need. This is a terrific way to use my spare time and become part of a family with such amazing staff, residents and volunteers."

Sarah

RESIDENT

"I feel very happy the volunteers come on weekends – it gives me something to do, like making decorations or jewellery, and drawing abstracts or still life. They encourage others to go for walks for fresh air, take us shopping and make us residents feel happy.

I think they are learning a lot – their wonderful coordinator does things with loving grace, care from the heart. They [volunteers] speak different languages, and it can be tough. I tell them to please slow down and repeat it again."

Kanako

VOLUNTEER

"I've been in Auckland since last June. Living abroad is one of my dreams. In a first few months, I just went to a language school to improve my English. However I wanted to have special experience here, anything special for me! I've worked at hospital as a social worker specialised in aged care in my country. Although I engaged in that work, my responsibility was a lot of paper work and I didn't have enough time to spend on being with clients. So I decided to try to volunteer while staying in Auckland. Volunteering here reminds me of when I started to work as a social worker. I'm really pleasure that residents smile at me or say 'thank you' to me even though I have a language barrier and can't talk to them smoothly. That makes me think that kindness or warm-heart is universal and that anyone can express their feeling without words. I'm sorry I have to go back to Japan and have to finish volunteering in middle of February. I'm sure this volunteer is unforgettable and great experience for me. After going back to my country, I'll also look for a job related to aged care."