Media release
Volunteer Awareness Week
15 – 21 June 2008
IHC volunteers are gold
IHC volunteers throughout the country are being thanked for supporting people with intellectual disabilities to have
ordinary lives in the community.
IHC's National Manager Volunteering Karen Roberts said each of the 700 or so volunteers will receive a gold certificate
or card thanking them for the amazing job they are doing.
"Some of our volunteers are part of the one-on-one volunteer programme, where a person is 'buddied up' with a person
with an intellectual disability.
"Others contribute to IHC through being on a local branch committee, on the board that governs IHC, or helping with
fundraising," she says.
IHC volunteers in the one-on-one volunteer programme spend time with people with intellectual disabilities doing a range
of activities from meeting for coffee, going to the movies, tramping or just socialising together. They are given
training and ongoing support from paid volunteer coordinators.
Volunteers who serve on branch committees and on the Board of Governance play a vital role in the future direction and
governance of the organisation.
"This is a very big thank you to all the people who give their time and expertise throughout the year to support people
with intellectual disabilities," says Karen.
In New Zealand almost one in 10 people volunteers their time to help non-profit organisations like IHC.
ENDS