Thank a Hospice Volunteer Today

We are grateful all year round for the support provided by Hospice volunteers. During Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu National Volunteer Week, 14–20 June, we want to recognise and celebrate the wonderful contribution our volunteers make to Hospice and our community. In keeping with 2026 being the International Year of the Volunteer, it is a timely moment to acknowledge the difference volunteers make every day.

Nelson Tasman Hospice has approximately 440 volunteers.

These figures show the impact volunteers made over the past year:

• 250 volunteers in our retail sector helped generate approximately $9,000 each to support keeping Hospice services free for our community.
• For every two patients cared for, we had one volunteer helping across all aspects of the Hospice service to make that possible.
• For every hour worked by an employee, a volunteer contributed a further 20 minutes to support all the tasks that needed to be done to keep Hospice service running.

Beyond the numbers, Hospice volunteers are a vital link in keeping our Hospice grounded in our community. Because Nelson Tasman Hospice exists just for our region, that connection helps build for all of us a compassionate, connected society.

Inspirational, generous, and goodhumoured are just some of the qualities that come to mind when meeting our Hospice volunteers. Over the years you will have seen Hospice services change and adapt to meet our community needs. We have many volunteers committed to that journey.

Volunteers willing at short notice to be with a patient so that a whānau member could attend an important appointment. Student volunteers turning up every Sunday for their op shop shift. When sending out an email asking for help with a fundraising event, an immediate reply often comes back: “Yes, I can do that”. Groups of volunteers also help, such as the Rural Women St Arnaud who make wheat bags, syringe bags, other sewed items and help with the Trees of Remembrance at Christmas to support Hospice.

We have volunteers:

• On our boards
• In our Mānuka café
• In our op shops across the region
• Out in our community supporting patients and whānau with equipment, flowers, and time
• From businesses and corporate roles sharing their skills and knowledge
• Carrying out many other roles

If you know someone who volunteers for Hospice, please thank them this June for the experience, skills and time they give to support a Hospice service for us all.

If you would like to learn more about volunteering with Nelson Tasman Hospice, contact – volunteers@nelsonhospice.org.nz