A life enriched through volunteering
Perhaps one of the least discussed benefits of volunteering is the chance to break out of our daily routine and step outside our own limits.
Whether you volunteer locally or travel to the other side of the world, volunteering almost always comes with challenges that broaden your personal skill set and compel you outside your ‘‘norm’’.
Take Brodie, for example. He is a 33-year-old man living with a disability after suffering cardiac arrest at three years of age.
Throughout his life, particularly since finishing school, he has found it frustrating and difficult to find meaningful activities that enable him to participate in a varied and interesting week. But this changed nearly four years ago when he registered as a ‘‘tag spotter’’ volunteer with the Christchurch City Council’s graffiti programme Off the Wall.
Now Brodie travels around the city with his support worker up to three times a week searching for graffiti, which he then photographs and reports to the council to have removed.
This voluntary role has given a clear definition and meaning to Brodie’s weekly routine.
Brodie’s mum, Vicki, says he is proud to be able to tell his family and friends that he is off to work. ‘‘He has a great sense of humour . . . he actually enjoys reading some of the not so appropriate words or phrases painted around our city!’’ she says.
In June, Brodie’s contribution to the Off the Wall programme was highlighted at the Volunteering Canterbury Volunteer Recognition Awards. The annual awards recognise the effort and achievement of volunteers of all ages in all sectors, and celebrate outstanding voluntary contributions to our community.
Brodie was nominated by the Graffiti Team Leader, Valerie Merryweather, who says, ‘‘Brodie is an integral part of our team . . . it is an absolute pleasure to have him and his support worker as part of our team.’’