"Caring’ co-ordinator shifts

Press, 13 July 1984, Page 5

"Caring’ co-ordinator shifts

A three-fold increase in the number of volunteer workers has been the most significant aspect of Mrs Fay Mitchell’s time with the Canterbury Aged People’s Welfare Council as its volunteers co-ordinator. Mrs Mitchell was the first co-ordinator to work for the council. She is leaving after five years to work with the Christchurch City Council in caring for elderly people in pensioner units. She was seconded to the council in 1979 with community health funds from the Canterbury Hospital Board. She worked parttime for 18 months until the council needed a full-time worker to cope with the increase in volunteers. The full-time position was then funded solely by the Aged People’s Welfare Council. Although no records were kept, it is thought there were 200 volunteers helping the council when Mrs Mitchell began. There are now 600. Mrs Mitchell was a nurs-

ing sister, caring for elderly people at St Winifred’s Private Hospital, before going to the council.

“I have always enjoyed working with the elderly,” she said.

The reason for the growth in volunteer numbers is unclear but Mrs Mitchell admits that the presence of someone to help and coordinate the efforts of volunteers has encouraged them to continue with their work.

“It is important that the volunteers receive as much enjoyment from their work as do the elderly,” she said.

Many of the volunteers have walked into the council’s office and simply offered their help. What has surprised and impressed Mrs Mitchell more is the large number of schoolchildren who continue as volunteers after being introduced to elderly people through the school visiting scheme. One girl began visiting an elderly couple while still at

high school. She continued her visits after leaving school and recently invited the couple to her wedding. Christchurch seemed to be the right-sized city to produce people who wanted to help others, Mrs Mitchell said. The Aged People’s

Welfare Council in Auckland cannot get enough volunteers to meet the same demand among elderly people.

Another mark of success during Mrs Mitchell’s time with the council has been the increase in the number of elderly people using the drop-in centre in Cashel Street.

In 1979 about 25 people would call at the centre each week. That number has increased to 400 a week. Mrs Mitchell attributes this growth to the 20 volunteers who work at the centre.

“They are warm and friendly people,” she said. Although most of the volunteers are women, many men, especially those in early retirement, want to help. Many of the 28 men who drive the council’s two mini-buses were drivers in their previous employment. “They want to feel useful and needed. That is important to everyone,” she said.