Ōtepoti business ‘Closed for Good’ - employees volunteer for the day!

The team at ADInstruments (ADI) have a wonderful initiative called ‘Closed for Good’, where the team heads out to various community groups in Ōteopoti Dunedin and volunteers for a day.

Volunteer South was proud to support the ADI team, connecting them with organisations and groups that would benefit from a large group of volunteers, contributing a few hours of their day.

We encouraged organisations to submit roles that would welcome ADI volunteers to work alongside regular volunteers on a shift, or assign them to a one-off project. Volunteer South was keen to have a variety of opportunities made available to the ADI team and to provide insights on the impact of these roles on the community, so that everyone could choose a cause that truly resonated with their own interests and passions.

We received a variety of role submissions supporting causes ranging from conservation and community gardening to family and migrant support and women’s health! 47 employees volunteered at 5 different organisations. Some helped sort and organise baby clothes and bedding at Pregnancy Help, while others cleaned op-shop shelves and transport vans to support the New Zealand Red Cross Shops and Refugee Support programs.

A few chose to employ their creative skills at Stitch Kitchen making toiletry bags for Women's Refuge and pieces for community outreach classes! A couple of other groups got outside and helped Save the Otago Peninsula with releasing recently planted natives, and the Green Island Community Garden with some general maintenance, much needed in this fast growing summer season.

Collectively, they contributed the equivalent of approximately 19 work days in just the space of a few hours.

It’s so inspiring to see local businesses choosing to give back to the community. Employee Volunteering provides opportunities to connect with communities in new ways, to share experiences and to make a difference, resulting in stronger teams and stronger communities. If your team is looking for ways to volunteer, or if you’re an organisation that would benefit from groups volunteering, get in touch with us!