Bay of Plenty volunteers celebrated at special breakfast

Bev Hodges (left) and Karen Garrington at the National Volunteer Week breakfast held by Volunteer Bay of Plenty at Bluebiyou restaurant this morning. Photo/John Borren

Karen Garrington says she's grateful to be able to volunteer.

Garrington was one of the 60-odd off-duty volunteers at the National Volunteer Week breakfast held by Volunteer Bay of Plenty this morning.

She volunteers at local libraries helping job hopefuls put together their CV.

People are often 'bewildered' by the process of CV building and appreciate the help.

Garrington says one woman came across the free CV workshops while coming to the library to job search.

The woman was coming back to work after looking after her family and was struggling to get back into the workforce. She had been searching for work for six months, but with the help of the CV workshop at the library, she was able to find work.

"She was overjoyed and she bought the library staff some chocolates," Garrington says.
"And she's just one."

Bev Hodges, who co-ordinates the CV building volunteers, says there are about 30 CV volunteers, but they need more.

"We want someone with excellent English and great typing skills," she says.

The service is available at Greerton, Pāpāmoa or Tauranga Library.

People interested in volunteering, or getting help from the CV workshop, can find more information on the Tauranga Library website under the "Learning" tab, or by calling 07 577 7177.