Experience Of A Lifetime: Older New Zealanders As Volunteers

The free book Experience of a Lifetime: Older New Zealanders as volunteers focuses on New Zealand’s older volunteers and gives an interesting account of their work in a variety of spheres. Two International Years provided the impetus for producing the book – 1999, the International Year of Older Persons and 2001 the International Year of the Volunteer.
The 40+ Project / 30 Tau Neke Atu took up the challenge of these years and produced the book to celebrate what older volunteers contribute to life in New Zealand.

Editor Susan Gee ensured a varied mix of styles and content The book is edited by Susan Gee at Victoria University of Wellington, and published by that university. The editor has done an effective job, bringing together writing by a variety of people who are all enthusiastic about their topic – which ensures that the book makes interesting reading. Volunteer spotlights in each section feature the views of other individuals involved in the activities and add to the human interest of the material. Photographs also give life to the text.

Having an enthusiastic editor so often means a successful production. Susan Gee says of her work as editor,
"I was delighted to edit the publication. We hear a lot about the so called ‘burden’ of an ageing population. What we don’t hear so much about is the enormous contribution that older people make in so many ways. We wanted to take the opportunity in the International Year of the Volunteer to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of some of New Zealand’s older volunteers. And what a variety of people we talked to during the course of the book! Volunteering really does take all sorts!"

Business Mentor Programme John Probert discusses the Business Mentor Programme which provides an opportunity for business people to gain help from the knowledge and skills of recently retired business people. He outlines the operation of the scheme known as Business in the Community (BITC) and also stresses the satisfaction which is gained by those who act as mentors.

Volunteer Coordinators improve communication Jane Yoong describes how she saw a need for improved networking among volunteer groups and set up the national network of volunteer coordinators working with representatives from groups involving senior citizens. The coordinators aim to improve communication among senior citizen groups and encourage more involvement in local activities.

Volunteering through Age Concern Kathy Glasgow, Positive Ageing Coordinator for the National Office of Age Concern, and Susan Gee, highlight the work of volunteers in Age Concern New Zealand, basing their information on responses to a postal questionnaire sent in 1999 to the twenty eight Age Concern Councils in New Zealand. Some 8,000 older people receive services from Age Concern Councils each week and an estimated 5.000 volunteers take part in providing the services. Areas of help include visiting services, checking on elder abuse, support with home maintenance, meals on wheels, advocacy in issues with local bodies, and assisting with mobility needs.

Supergrans Mamari Stephens of Victoria University’s 40+ Project / 30 Tau Neke Atu spent some time with Supergrans in Christchurch and writes about them. Supergrans are involved in educating people in household management. They carefully join together individuals or families who would like assistance with their very own Supergran. This can provide a very satisfying experience for both parties, but it can make strong demands on the Supergran’s tact and understanding as the needs of the people they are seeking to help are many and varied.

Older people in Maori society Maori society generally has a positive view of ageing people – kaumatua, and their role in Maori communities is discussed by Professor Mason Durie of Massey University. The older people’s roles are critical for the survival of tribal mana, but these older Maori have to cope with new roles and responsibilities and also changed attitudes in their communities if they are to fulfil their people’s hopes.

A homework centre James Liu describes how he tried to combine research with action as he set up at Mana College, Porirua, a homework centre staffed by older volunteers. In addition to the practical advantages for the students of having the facility there has proved to be added value in the intergenerational interactions with conversation being an important part of the activities. James Liu frankly admits the difficulties he encountered and the problems of combining action and research.

Research into unpaid work in mid and later life Susan Gee provides a summary of recent research from the University’s 40+ Project / 30 Tau Neke Atu on unpaid work in mid and later life, including comment on formal volunteering through an organisation and informal helping and the benefits derived from both types.

Census information Judith Davey, Victoria University, closes the book with a summary of what available census data tell us about the extent of the work done by older volunteers.

To order your copy of Experience of a Lifetime: Older New Zealanders as volunteers write to The 40+ Project / 30 Tau Neke Atu c/o School of Psychology P O Box 600 Wellington