Through Volunteer South she became an "activity buddy" with the Central Otago Friendship Network, in Cromwell.
It had been the perfect way for her to connect with her community and help someone, she said.
The Friendship Network enriched people’s lives through friendships, including helping people who were socially isolated find a like-minded volunteer who could spend social time with them.
Volunteers were carefully matched with their buddy after being vetted and given training and had ongoing support.
Miss Kaur visited her friendship buddy for about an hour once a week.
“I don’t do much. A lot of my time is spent listening. We chat about life, about Cromwell, the past, her family. We both share a love of the mountains. It feels like a very precious time when I’m with her.”
Miss Kaur grew up in Punjab, India, which was a place with a very strong social conscience, she said.
“People there are very connected. Families stay together and friends and neighbours are all included.”
As a result, people were mentally healthy, she said.
“My 98-year-old grandmother has no mental health issues. I hadn’t even heard of dementia before I came here. It isn’t a thing in the Punjab society. Perhaps it helps that our elderly are so connected with their community.”
While working at her supermarket job she was always on the lookout for a way to help her colleagues, she said.
“It’s just part of who I am. If I see a person struggling, I automatically want to reach out to them.”
Her role with her buddy was less about volunteering and more an innate thing she wanted to do.
“Honestly, I didn’t really know about volunteering as such until I came here. It’s a kind of internal thing for me to want to help people.”
She loved the fact the role gave her the opportunity to keep learning.
“I’m just starting my volunteer journey so I have lots to learn, but I love that the relationships I'm making are genuine. There’s nothing fake about this and that’s very important to me.”
- Thinking of volunteering? Contact Volunteer South, to find the perfect match for you. Explore roles at www.volunteersouth.org.nz
— APL
