We’re delighted to have Natalie Turner-Wright join our team as Group Volunteering Coordinator. She brings 16 years’ experience as a Social Worker and a passion for community, sustainability, and the power of volunteering to create positive change. Natalie will be looking to connect businesses, schools, and community groups of volunteers with one-off projects that for-purpose organisations need support with.

Here’s what she has to say:

I am the newly appointed Group Volunteer Coordinator for Volunteering Services.

A bit about me: I’m originally from South East London in the UK. I’ve always been drawn to exploring and travelling the world (probably to get away from the rain!), which is how I eventually ended up here in NZ in 2011. I initially spent time living in Auckland and working at Middlemore Hospital, but gravitated to Tauranga a couple of years later. The ocean, the vibe, and the people have kept me here ever since, and my family and I have made our base in Papamoa.

I’m a Social Worker by trade and have been doing this for the past 16 years, in a variety of roles across government organisations, District Health Boards, and also locally with the Canteen charity. I have a passion for helping others and supporting communities, and I’ve been searching for a role that connects this with another interest of mine – sustainability. I completed a ‘Leading Beyond Sustainability’ micro-credential and have a strong interest in exploring sustainability in the context of our people and communities, alongside the environment we live in.

That’s why the Group Volunteer Coordinator role really appealed to me. We all know the benefits volunteering brings to individuals, businesses, and communities – and I believe this is something that can be expanded and explored even further.

I’m excited to be in this role and to see where we can take this project.

If you’re a business, club, school, church or social group wanting to make a positive impact while fostering teamwork and community spirit

OR

If you’re a For-purpose organisation needing a project completed that would suit a one-off visit by a group….

Natalie is your contact!  natalie@socialink.org.nz