Julianna and Regina are sisters who volunteer together each week at the Porirua Hospice Shop.
What inspired or motivated you to volunteer for Mary Potter Hospice?
Julianna: I initially heard about a new position for volunteers at Mary Potter Hospice through my school. I’ve grown up enjoying volunteering for local charities or for seasonal church/school events, so I immediately jumped at the opportunity.
Regina: I was motivated to volunteer for Mary Potter Hospice by my desire to get involved in the community, wanting to gain new skills, and socialise with others.
What is your volunteer role and what does it involve?
J: My volunteer role is just to help out around the shop. I help to price items, run items through the till, hang up clothes, and help customers. Honestly, I was a little intimidated at first about being in charge of the till! But Dave the store manager helped out a lot, and I eventually grew to enjoy it.
R: My volunteer role is shop assistant, and for me it involves pricing items, putting out priced items, cleaning toys to be put out, and managing the till, which I’m still learning.
How often do you volunteer and how long have you been a volunteer?
J: I volunteer once a week and have been doing so for a little more than a year. However, I’m pretty confident I’ll still be volunteering for a good while.
R:I volunteer once a week and I have been a volunteer for six and a half months.
What is your favourite part of volunteering?
J: Outside of helping others, my favourite part of volunteering is being able to hear all the different stories from people who come in. Especially since I’m mainly up at the counter, I end up talking to lots of people. It’s always a joy when I can hear about a new mother, a family moving to a new home, or even an excited reader gushing about a new book series they found.
R:My favourite part of volunteering is getting to socialsze with my manager, customers, and fellow volunteers. I find it invigorating.
What is it like volunteering with your sister?
J: I find it comforting! I love my sister very much and it’s nice to be able to work and help others alongside someone. It’s also handy to be able to ask if a certain shirt looks good or not.
R: Volunteering with my sister is fun, and I enjoy the time we spend working together. It also feels reassuring to have a sibling volunteering with me since I’m not volunteering on my own.
What is the volunteer team at the Porirua Hospice Shop like?
J: While I mainly only run into the people coming in on Sundays, I can tell you, everyone is so nice. You come in any time of the week and they’re always there to help, talk with you, offer advice on which jewelry looks better, you name it! I feel very comfortable around everyone at the shop.
R: The volunteer team at the Porirua Hospice Shop is kind, hospitable, and friendly. They make the shop feel warm and welcoming to everyone.
Have you learnt any new skills through your volunteering?
J: I’ve learned how to be more outgoing and confident. As I am helping people almost the whole shift, I have to be confident, helpful, and easy to talk to. I think it’s helped me become settled in myself as I’m able to apply that attitude toward my responsibilities at school and to my peers.
R: Through my volunteering, I’ve learned how to price items with stickers and tags and how to operate the till. I think these skills can be very useful for potential future employment.
Have you received a memorable donation, cool item or had a nice customer interaction you can share?
J: One interaction I will always remember was this one lady who came into the shop in a rush for some new shoes. Hers had been worn down to the sole and she really needed new shoes in a specific colour as well. As she came up to the counter she was telling me all about how she felt so happy and relieved that she was able to find the perfect fit! It was only about 30 minutes until we were about to close as well, and she had come just in time. Her happiness and excitement still make me smile every time I think about her.
R: One time I was pricing items at the front counter, and in the box of items I was pricing was a pair of adorable unicorn slippers. I don’t think they’re in the shop anymore, and I bet they made someone’s child really happy.
Thank you to our amazing volunteers who work with our patients, families and whānau, keep our shops operating and support our staff behind the scenes. Your time, skills, experience, fundraising and passion supports Mary Potter Hospice to offer our valuable services free of charge.
If you are interested in volunteering for Mary Potter Hospice, we’d love to hear from you! View our current volunteer vacancies here, or email volunteer@marypotter.org.nz with your enquiry.