Volunteer has taste for helping others

Margaret Clouston likes making sure people are well fed.

The Rotorua woman has been volunteering at Parksyde Older Person's Community Centre for the past nine years and said she hoped to continue her work there for years to come. She is this week's Daily Post Local Hero.

Mrs Clouston has been a volunteer for several years and said it was a great way to keep busy.

"I have done volunteering ever since I retired," she said.

"I have volunteered at Hospice for six years and I have also volunteered with the community police as a telephonist."

Mrs Clouston said she was also a volunteer with the Asthma Society.

"I have always been a people person," she said. "So I thought it would be a great way to get out there and keep busy."

Mrs Clouston said she started going to Parksyde shortly after the centre opened.

"I would come in and play housie and I would take part in their exercise classes," she said.

"I got talking to some of the other people here and was asked to help out in the kitchen and I have been here since."

She said she would help out with a range of meals and snacks and enjoyed being part of the team.

"It is lots of fun. You get to meet a lot of people and it gets to the point where people rely on you."

Mrs Clouston said those thinking about becoming a volunteer should give it a go.

"I think it helps people, especially if they are on their own," she said. "It keeps people busy and they get out and about instead of staying home by themselves."

If you know of a volunteer who deserves recognition contact Whare Akuhata on (07) 348 6199 ext 57054, or send an email to whare.akuhata@dailypost.co.nz.