The celebrations run from Sunday 19 June to Saturday 25 June with St John acknowledging the work of nearly 8000 volunteers, who contribute more than three million hours annually across our operational and community programmes.
Sarah Manley, St John Deputy Chief Executive of Community Health Services, says the theme for Te wiki tūao ā motu for 2022 is ‘Share the Aroha’, which focuses on ‘doing’ something and sharing aroha to thank all the amazing St John volunteers for their mahi.
“St John volunteers are the lifeblood of the organisation, they are incredible people who go out of their way to strengthen ties and friendship in the community across 13 different programmes.
“Some of these include: Ambulance and Events, Archives, Area Committees, Caring Callers, Community Carers, Chaplaincy, Fellowship, Friends of the Emergency Department/ Hospital, St John Health Shuttle, St John Retail Stores, Therapy Pets, and Youth Leaders just to name a few.
“Without our volunteers and their generous contributions of time, energy, and local knowledge – our services would not be able to exist or operate.”
Ms Manley says St John is grateful to each and every volunteer for everything they do.
“For this year’s National Volunteer Week we would like to show our appreciation and thanks by setting aside a little of our time to engage face to face with our volunteers, make time to listen and just be there for our people,” Ms Manley says.
James Stewart, St John Ambulance National Operations Manager Volunteers, says Te wiki tūao ā motu is a chance for everyone to thank those who go out of their way to make a difference as a volunteer.
“Our volunteers are amazing people who, in many cases, do not want gifts, or to be placed in the spotlight for their valuable efforts.
“They love what they do and don’t like to gain attention for their kind actions or sacrifice of time. They are typically people who want to give and contribute, rather than get anything in return.
“Volunteers tell us that simply being a St John volunteer is rewarding enough because it provides them with an opportunity to make a significant contribution to their community. It is also a great way to meet the five ways to wellbeing: connect, give, keep learning, be active, take notice.”
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RESOURCES
Colouring-in cards
Knitting pattern
Press ads
Facebook cover image
Social media image
Carousel banner 1
Carousel banner 2
Event poster
Cookie poster
EDITORS NOTES:
In 2020, a St John report on the financial worth of our dedicated volunteer workforce showed that across ambulance shifts, training and retail stores, our volunteers contributed almost $140 million of ‘Sharing the Aroha’.
Also in 2021, St John launched its five-year Mahi Aroha volunteer sustainability strategy outlining commitment to our volunteers and addresses what we can do to be a world class organisation, providing volunteers with the type of experience they signed up for. Mahi Aroha is a framework on how St John attracts, recruits, on-boards, rewards, recognises, trains and develops our volunteers.
ST JOHN VOLUNTEERS FACTS AND FIGURES - between July 1 2021 and April 2022
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WAKA ORA HEALTH SHUTTLES
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746 volunteers
92 vehicles across 52 locations from Invercargill to Kaikohe
47,660 trips for 5,616 clients
Travelled 298,436 kms over 51,521 hours
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CARING CALLERS
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653 volunteers
660 clients
average of 51,480 calls per annum
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THERAPY PETS
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201 volunteers in 110 places
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COMMUNITY CARERS
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778 volunteers across 41 places
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FRIENDS OF THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT (FEDS)
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733 Friend of the Emergency Department, Hospital Friends, and Hospital hosts provided community care and friendship in hospitals.
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ST JOHN RETAIL STORES
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1297 stores in 46 locations
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YOUTH
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In the past year 850 volunteer youth leaders and officers have supported 4350 Penguins and Cadets to learn leadership, first aid and life skills
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AMBULANCE and EVENTS
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More than 30 MIST deployments, and 15 COMMAND unit deployments this last year, solely driven by volunteers supporting their local communities.
Onboarded a total of 574 ambulance operations volunteers in the last 12 months
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, IMAGES, OR IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK TO A VOLUNTEER IN YOUR AREA, PLEASE CONTACT:
Amy Milne
St John Integrated Communications Advisor
M 027 5037523
E amy.milne@stjohn.org.nz
Or
St John media team
media@stjohn.org.nz
PH 0800 756 334