A new virtual programme that connects volunteers and people with intellectual disabilities is looking for Southlanders to sign up.  

i-Volunteer is run by IHC New Zealand, and expands on their in-person programme where a volunteer and person with intellectual disabilities are paired up, to provide both with connection and friendship. 

IHC volunteer coordinator Leon Hartnett has run the in-person friendship programme in Invercargill for four years.

He says the new, virtual programme came about because of Covid-19 and prolonged lockdowns. 

“During the lockdowns there was a lot of difficulty for people to connect one on one, but we did find that some of our people had actually moved [their meetings] online already.”

“We trialled the new programme in Wellington about six months ago. It went really well, and i-Volunteer was launched.” 

Virtual programmes like this are especially important for a region like Southland, he says. 

“People here can live very remotely and might not have the opportunity to connect one on one.”

i-Volunteer users Rachel and Summer use their virtual time to play a game of Guess Who. Photo: Supplied

“What we’re doing is making sure that distance and lack of physical presence doesn’t get in the way of friendship.”

Hartnett says the original friendship programme involves a volunteer being matched with a person with intellectual disabilities who shares common interests.

“Say you’re someone who likes going aqua jogging on a Wednesday evening, well, we would find someone with intellectual disabilities who would also like to go aqua jogging, so you already have that in common.”

The new online system will work in much the same way, with volunteers matched to someone with similar interests.

The two can then connect with in many different ways.

“We are using every form of technology available to us. There is just a myriad of phone apps available now, and just talking on the phone is an option too.” 

Hartnett says forming connections doesn’t have to just be talking – many users use their virtual time to do baking, play games, or even watch a movie together.  

It is not just volunteers that are needed either, he says.  

“We are looking to find people who would like to spend some time chatting and making someone’s life richer.”

“We are looking for both volunteers and people with disabilities to be involved, all people who would benefit from having a friend.”

Hartnett says the programme offers one of the most flexible forms of volunteering around. 

“If somebody has just an hour every 2 weeks, it could make a big difference to someone’s life.”

“It can all be done on a day that suits you – if you are free for an hour on a Tuesday evening, we will find someone who can also make that time.”

Volunteers with be supported by IHC, be police vetted and provided full training. 

For more information, or to sign up, you can visit the IHC website at: https://ihc.org.nz/get-involved/volunteering 

You can also contact Leon Hartnett, ICH volunteering coordinator based in Invercargill, at [email protected] or on 021 308 549.