Volunteering helps Elena find her place in the Eastern Bay

A desire to gain community experience while studying psychology has led Whakatāne volunteer Elena Shaw to become a regular companion for people living with dementia.

Elena, who is in her early 30s, has volunteered with Alzheimer’s Society Eastern Bay of Plenty for about a year and a half and has already supported two clients.

She first became involved while looking for volunteering opportunities alongside her postgraduate psychology studies at Massey University.

“I was just looking for volunteering, gaining experience in the community, and came across the advertisement from Alzheimer’s Society,” Elena says.

The experience has proved to be about much more than study or work experience.

Elena spends at least an hour each week with her current companion, building a relationship around the person’s interests and finding activities they can both enjoy.

“It’s just finding the ways that work for the specific person you’re volunteering with,” she says.

That might mean talking about familiar subjects, going for a walk or simply spending time together.

Elena says the role is also a position of trust, particularly because some people she supports live alone and have family members living elsewhere.

She keeps an eye out for changes that might affect their wellbeing and can raise concerns with Alzheimer’s Society when needed.

“I feel it’s my responsibility to try to see that and contact Alzheimer’s Society,” she says.

Talia Spackman, Volunteer Coordinator for Alzheimer’s Society Eastern Bay of Plenty, says Elena is always there with an enthusiastic smile.

“Elena is one of our younger volunteers. It is heartening to see someone her age so willing to give her time. She is always willing to help and keen to network with other volunteers. Elena makes time in her very busy schedule around study and family commitments, frequently putting her name forward to help with awareness events,” says Talia.

For Elena, who moved to New Zealand from Russia 11 and a half years ago and to Whakatāne three and a half years ago, volunteering has also helped her develop a stronger connection with the community.

“When I moved here, I knew no one,” she says. “Now I just feel the belonging.”

Getting to know people and hearing their stories has helped her understand the place she now calls home.

“Most people I work with, some of them were born here, and their parents were born here,” Elena says.

“Just hearing that story about the place, about other people, why they do things, why they choose these things and not others, it’s just in a way connecting more with a place.”

Elena believes volunteering can be particularly valuable for people who have moved to a new country or community and are looking to establish social connections.

She is currently researching Russian migrants and their identity and adaptation to New Zealand, and says her own experience reinforces what she is seeing through her research.

“When you invest your time, your energy and emotions into that, you see it differently,” she says. “You see it as home.”

Elena encourages others to consider volunteering, regardless of their age or background.

“I really recommend to everyone to volunteer,” she says. “It’s quite an interesting journey where you learn more about yourself as well.”

To learn more about volunteer opportunities across the Bay of Plenty, visit the Volunteering Services website www.volunteeringservices.org.nz or call 07 987 0920.