No barriers to dedication

‘The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.’ — Gandhi Volunteering is a powerful movement. When we volunteer our time we send a message about what we believe is important in our communities.

Our volunteers bring many benefits, including widening participation and improving services.

However, volunteering has a much bigger impact than providing services and programmes. Libraries Horowhenua strongly endorses the role our volunteers and The Friends of Horowhenua Libraries have in:

providing community connectedness

strengthening social cohesion

providing a mechanism that deepens and broadens civic engagement.

impacting on individual and community well-being.

You will almost inevitably find our amazing group of volunteers working behind the scenes making sure the library

is strong, relevant and wellsupported.

Our volunteers make up a team of dedicated people who join and serve for a variety of reasons. They do this week in week out, and have committed to volunteering here for many years.

Our longest-serving volunteer has been here for 20 years!! Remarkable!

There are no barriers to their dedication. The generosity and steadfastness of our volunteers are key to the continued delivery of excellent services to all of our community

I volunteered in my youth through Girl Guiding, The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and College. It was a part of my life and I didn’t think about it. Then I got busy.

Like most people, I now dedicate a lot of time and energy to family, work, watching TV, films, reading, shopping and way too long browsing the internet.

However, I am increasingly aware that I am the one losing out.

Volunteering gives you a sense of purpose, connects you with others and builds confidence and self-esteem.

Studies have also shown that as well as clear mental health benefits, volunteering has resulting positive, physical health benefits. It’s also fun!

Our community thrives and is enriched by the goodwill and hard work of volunteers.

The Horowhenua Libraries’ Team thanks them for their friendship, contribution and dedication.