Celebrating National Volunteer Week
A Huge Thankyou to our Volunteers
We could not operate without the support of these devoted individuals who are committed to keeping the most vulnerable in our communities safe. Thank you for all your hard work!
Volunteer Voices
‘A Story of Compassion and Community’
By Karen Whiteley
Newsletter, June 2026, page 2
“I feel like I am making a difference and doing my bit and there are others doing the same for my family.”
Read the story as text
I have been a client liaison volunteer for WanderSearch Canterbury since September last year. It has been a really positive experience and very rewarding. I would recommend this to someone who may be looking to volunteer a few hours a month in their local community. My initial introduction to WanderSearch was hearing about it on the radio. This was the day after we had a member of our Bishopdale community go missing and an emergency SMS text was sent out to our mobiles to people in the Bishopdale area.
This person had dementia and the message asked people to check their backyards and sheds etc. My first thoughts were of my lovely mum who has dementia and has been known to wander, however she lives on the Hibiscus Coast, so not my mum, but somebody's mum, wife, sister, grandmother, friend. I thought how scary it would be for her if she was lost and confused and how the family would be beside themselves with worry. I jumped in my car and started driving around the neighbourhood. It was so heartening to see how many people, of all ages, were out with their torches, calling out and searching.
Some time later it was reported that she had been found. What a huge relief! I contacted WanderSearch Auckland, who were so friendly and helpful and it was a very easy process to arrange a device for my mum.
I read that Client Volunteers are always needed in all areas to help out with the increasing demand for these devices. I wasn't able to help out in the area my mum lives in, however I could do my bit here in my community in Canterbury, to help keep vulnerable people safe and bring peace of mind for their carers and family. Emma, the Program Manager is great and very supportive. She provides training and only when you are feeling comfortable do you then carry out client visits. I am now on my 2nd visit with some of the clients and everyone is so lovely and appreciative of the work you are doing.
Karen-WanderSearch Volunteer