Volunteer sector supported by record investment

Record funding to the voluntary sector is supporting it to make an even bigger difference says Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Alfred Ngaro.

“Volunteering New Zealand, regional volunteer centres and community groups working on projects to support volunteering have all benefited from this Government’s recognition of how volunteering benefits New Zealand,” says Mr Ngaro.

“Volunteers contribute about $3.5 billion in labour every year, which is why I was so pleased that we were able to recognise that contribution in Budget 2017 by doubling the funding available under the Support for Volunteering fund from $500,000 to just over $1 million.

“We’ve been able to incorporate this boost into this year’s applications for the fund.”

Successful applicants for the fund include:

• Volunteering New Zealand has received $175,000 to promote and support volunteering in New Zealand. For its work with volunteer centres and voluntary sector organisations.
• The seventeen regional Volunteer centres have received a share of $747,000 to recruit and train volunteers, promote good practice in volunteer management, and provide training and networking for community organisations.
• Eleven community groups have received a share of $80,000 to run projects supporting volunteering. This includes projects focused on building capability and capacity in volunteers and projects specifically focused on Pacific, Maori and ethnic volunteer support.

“Volunteering makes a huge difference in communities right across New Zealand, which is why this Government is committed to supporting them.”

Further details on the organisations which received funding can be found at www.communitymatters.govt.nz

*The successful projects who received funding are:

o   Disability Information And Equipment Centre-Kapiti - $3,180
To run a Disability Awareness Workshop for volunteers who work in the not-for-profit sector.

o   Maoriland Charitable Trust - $6,090.00
To manage the recruitment, training and allocation of positions for their kaimahi (volunteers), including their rangatahi who volunteer their time to the Maoriland Film Festival.

o   Paeroa Community Support Trust - $4,765.00
To develop a Youth Volunteer and Leadership programme specifically designed to maximise participation of the young people that use the Carehouse.

o   South Invercargill Urban Rejuvenation Charitable Trust - $3,498.00
To facilitate skills-sharing workshops between two volunteering groups who have recently joined under one.

o   Totara Hospice South Auckland - $4,070.00
To enhance their existing volunteer  workforce skillset in Maori and Pacific customs and values.

o   Waikato Community Broadcasting Charitable Trust - $2,550.00
To run a series of volunteer development workshops, including targeting specific groups; youth pacifika, refugee and migrant volunteers.

o   Huakina Development Trust Board - $24,000.00
To help develop volunteers knowledge in providing short term support for people who live with a disability.

o   Multicultural Learning And Support Services Incorporated -  $11,450.00
To undertake a year long project to assess, rejuvenate and implement change to their volunteer projects to support refugees and migrants in the Wellington region.

o   Shakti Asian Women's Safehouse Inc - $11,940.00
To assist with costs associated with developing a Volunteer Best Practice Manual, Community Advocates, Volunteer Expenses and Training costs.

o   Shanti Niwas Charitable Trust - $5,552.00
To develop a programme to support women inmates in prison; aimed at Indian and South Asian Origin inmates.

o   The Reading Revolution - $2,905.00
To assist with costs associated with training volunteers to become Reader Leaders.