National awards for helpers
People signing up to join South Taranaki’s burgeoning Neighbourhood Support group probably don’t realise the man helping them fill out the forms can’t actually see the words on them.
Luke Ryan-Henderson, who runs the organisation’s recruitment desk on open days and has won a national award for his voluntary work, is legally blind.
Ryan-Henderson uses technology to overcome his visual impairment and his IT skills are in great demand at South Taranaki Neighbourhood Support, where he’s been a volunteer since the group started in 2016.
‘‘He is my right-hand man when it comes to issues with my computer and my severely lacking skills as a computer user,’’ coordinator Wendy Foreman said.
‘‘He’s an absolutely awesome kid, he’s a great volunteer who is always there for us.’’
Ryan-Henderson was named the country’s top volunteer by Neighbourhood Support New Zealand at a celebration in Ha¯wera last week.
The 26-year-old manages the South Taranaki Neighbourhood Support Facebook page, posts weather and safety updates, creates flyers, signs up new members at events, and looks after its computer.
Ryan-Henderson, who works as a teaching assistant at Ha¯wera High School and runs a computer business, said he joined the group to give back to the community.
‘‘I like to help people who need it and they needed it,’’ he said.
Andrew Cotter from Fire and Emergency, Ha¯wera, received the partner award for his work helping promote fire safety through Neighbourhood Support and assisting with running Neighbourhood Support events and promoting the organisation in the community.
‘‘Andrew’s commitment, approachability, organisational skills and warm personality are a huge benefit to South Taranaki Neighbourhood Support,’’ Foreman said. ‘‘He believes in helping to create safer communities for all walks of life, whanau and families’’.
Meanwhile, STNZ chairman Lionel Shaw received a South Taranaki Community Award on November 15 for his work in establishing and continuing South Taranaki Neighbourhood Support and, last week, he received a Kiwibank Local Hero award in New Plymouth.