Also Punjabi, Urdu and other languages for wider reach
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June 21, 2021
As the country marks National Volunteer Week (June 20 to June 26, 2021), St John is celebrating its 8000 volunteers for their dedication to helping the community.
New Zealand has one of the highest volunteering rates in the world, with the value of their contribution to the economy estimated at four billion dollars a year.
The more than two million hours that St John volunteers contribute are interweaved throughout all the activities of St John, from frontline ambulance officers to Caring Callers, three Steps for Life facilitators, Therapy Pets volunteers, St John Store volunteers, Friends of the Emergency Department and Hospital Friends, Health Shuttle drivers, event volunteers, youth leaders and chaplains. Binding it all together are St John Area Committee members who ensure communities have the support they need.
Caring Call Service in Hindi
Among St John’s 8138 volunteers is Jaya Sharda, who gives her time to the Caring Caller service in the Hindi.
Following the 2018 launch of St John Caring Caller in Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), St John extended its delivery to reach more isolated individuals from minority communities, with the launch of the service in Hindi.
Jaya Sharda is a founding member who leads a team of volunteers and regularly keeps people company over the phone using Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, and several other regional languages used in India.
“When I heard St John was launching Caring Caller in Hindi, I just had to put my hand up for this opportunity because I am passionate about contributing to the community and helping out in any way I can. It is extremely fulfilling,” she said.
St John Caring Caller is a free, confidential telephone service which has 714 volunteers regularly connecting with over 649 clients who range in age and ethnicity, offering friendship, a listening ear and support to people who may be experiencing social isolation.
“Hindi Caring Caller is a great initiative for Hindi speakers with limited or no English. It removes the language barrier which creates the opportunity for like-minded people to share common interests,” Jaya said.
Covid-19 barriers
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit New Zealand, it created barriers to human interaction and made the initiative even more important.
Jaya said that the service kept running during the lockdowns last year and we continued to be there for our clients by keeping in touch with them and made sure they were doing fine.
“It has been meaningful for our clients especially in these times when people are unable to travel to meet their family or friends,” she said.
St John Deputy Chief Executive (Community Health and Iwi Engagement) Sarah Manley said without volunteers like Jaya Sharda, the community health services that St John provides would not be able to function.
“Every single volunteer is vital to the health and wellbeing of the people in their community. Even though their volunteering experience may differ, the underlying motivation is to serve their community and build resilience,” she said.
www.stjohn.org.nz/what-we-do/community-programmes/caring-caller
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