Youth volunteers make tremendous impact across Central Lakes

What do you think about when you consider rangatahi (youth) as volunteers? At Volunteer South, we believe they are a force to be reckoned with! Their fresh ideas, resourcefulness, energy and perspectives, and most importantly, a genuine desire to help, make them a valuable asset to any community.

Students at Wakatipu High School (WHS) and Dunstan High School (DHS) proved if given the opportunity, youth are willing and capable of making a positive difference in their communities in a truly special way. Over Nov-Dec 2024, we supported approximately 450 students in Central Lakes to connect with diverse volunteer activities and causes. Community groups and organisations that opened their doors to rangatahi volunteers experienced a huge impact - approximately 1200 hrs of volunteering took place across 25 organisations - that’s 151 working days worth of mahi!

While the numbers are impressive, what’s truly amazing is the tremendous range of skills contributed, and the diversity in the types of causes supported. Activities included musical performances, mulching and native plant maintenance, food rescue, supporting play and musical sessions, teaching about AI, community gardening, crafts, carpentry, baking, sorting books and resources, making greeting cards and truffles, supporting cyberbullying research, redecorating spaces, picking up rubbish, trail maintenance, and more.

“No matter what your volunteer role is, there is someone out there with passion and skills they want to contribute, and a willingness to learn more about how to help. Youth are just as diverse - so why not give them a chance?” says Regional Lead, Neha Gosalia, who has orchestrated several youth volunteer days since 2022, with a focus on increasing submissions from local organisations - more variety in roles leads to more youth participating. Gosalia says, “If you have concerns around hosting young volunteers; we have tools and advice to help your organisation be open to youth, and give them a great experience, creating awareness and connection with your mission!”

DHS engaged their Year 9 & 10 students in an initiative around ‘Citizenship’ and participating in community service was part of this. Central Otago Community Connector Sue O’Brien led the charge on collecting roles from local organisations, and supporting them in creating youth-friendly volunteer opportunities. With help from DHS faculty, we managed to curate approximately 20 unique opportunities that were as varied as students’ interests and the results were phenomenal.

We even had a ‘Student Reporter’ team supporting Volunteer South, taking photos and collecting feedback from their peers, whose induction included a chat with a reporter from The News. “These opportunities were of great value to volunteers as well. Students gained knowledge, and social and practical skills as they explored parts of their community they may not have before”, says O’Brien, who is keen to continue the collaboration with DHS.

WHS Year 10 students participate in the Branches Trust Camping trip each year, which also includes a couple of community service elements. In the lead up, students have the option of participating in ‘Double Good Deed Day’ where they volunteer with a local organisation in exchange for a local business to sponsor their excursion fees. This year, 37 students helped with packaging rescued food at KiwiHarvest, native plant maintenance at Tucker Beach, and an inventory project at Wakatipu Toy Library.

Wakatipu High School students volunteering with KiwiHarvest and at Tucker Beach.

As part of the camping initiative, students also get involved in in-school service and other activities. This year, Volunteer South connected 250 student volunteers with Baskets of Blessing and Happiness House. Youth baked treats for Christmas packages for those in need, and made greeting cards that will make many in the community smile for months to come!

Wakatipu High School students volunteering with Baskets of Blessing & Happiness House.