Our volunteers are the heart of what we accomplish. If you want to give back to the region's over-65s, contribute to the community, and lend your time and skills in a practical way, there is a place for you with ElderLink.
We welcome volunteers to help with our community produce garden, ensuring fresh food reaches people who need it. We also welcome friendly faces to assist with local enquiries and information support. Additional roles include produce hand harvesting, digital assistance, and the direct delivery of food parcels to seniors' homes across Marlborough.
Volunteering with ElderLink is about building real community connections and providing practical care where it counts.
Volunteering can be a rewarding way to meet new people, learn new skills, and feel more connected to your community. The time you give helps older people in Marlborough stay independent and supported. Whether you have an hour a week or a few hours a month, there is a way to contribute that works for you.
What to Expect
Volunteering with ElderLink is flexible and fits around your life. Most roles ask for just a few hours a week, and we work with you to find a rhythm that suits. Whether you can help weekly, fortnightly, or occasionally, your time makes a genuine difference.
New volunteers are paired with an experienced team member and given a clear induction covering health and safety, privacy, and the practicalities of each role. You will never be asked to take on more than you are comfortable with.
Roles vary in how much time they take and how often they are needed. Some volunteers will help weekly in the community produce garden, while others are called on when a delivery run or harvest needs an extra pair of hands. If you would prefer a regular commitment, we can match you to a role that suits. If your availability changes from week to week, we can work with that too. The important thing is that volunteering fits around your life, not the other way around. Every contribution, however small it may seem, helps us keep our services running for Marlborough seniors.
If you have skills in gardening, driving, administration, or simply enjoy a good kōrero, we would love to hear from you.
Before you start, we will talk with you about your interests, availability, and any skills you would like to use. That conversation helps us suggest roles that are a good fit rather than simply filling a gap. If you are unsure where you would be most useful, we can arrange for you to try a role or visit a site first. There is no pressure to commit beyond what you are comfortable with, and you can change roles later if your circumstances change.
Volunteers are supported by a coordinator and by one another. We hold regular check-ins, share updates, and make sure everyone knows who to contact if something is unclear. Health and safety, privacy, and respectful practice are covered in induction, and refreshers are available when needed. We also value the knowledge and experience older volunteers bring, and we welcome people of all backgrounds who share our kaupapa of linking generations through care and community.
Important Information
For front-facing roles involving direct contact with service recipients and their whānau, volunteers will need to complete a standard police clearance check to confirm suitability for working with vulnerable persons. Roles requiring no direct contact with service recipients, such as community garden maintenance, are open to individuals seeking practical community service opportunities.
Roles that involve driving or deliveries will also require a current driver licence and a safe, roadworthy vehicle. Where a role involves visiting people in their homes, we ask volunteers to message the office phone requesting a callback for a debrief and to flag any potential concerns. These steps help protect both volunteers and the people we support. If you have questions about any requirement, contact us and we will explain what is needed for the specific role you are considering.
Volunteering is not limited to the roles listed here. If you have skills in cooking, crafts, technology, event support, or administration, or if you speak more than one language, please tell us. We are always open to new ideas that help Marlborough seniors stay connected, well, and independent. You can also support us by spreading the word among whānau, friends, and neighbours who might be looking for a meaningful way to give back.
Every volunteer role is different, but they share one thing: they help older people in our region feel seen, supported, and part of the community. If you are ready to take the next step, get in touch and we will help you find a role that fits your time, skills, and interests.
If you are interested in helping Marlborough seniors, please get in touch with our team.
Interested in Volunteering?
Contact us today to learn more about current volunteer opportunities.
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