“It really lights me up”
When Auckland mother of two Carolyn McCutcheon first saw a post on her local community Facebook page asking for volunteers for a young onset dementia group, she wasn’t actively looking for anything in particular.
Working part-time with her husband, and her children almost grown, meant Carolyn suddenly had some flexibility in her week. She had been thinking about how she could do something for others, and this volunteering opportunity seemed to fit the bill – particularly because it was close to home (a short walk even!), so she decided to give it a try.
More than two years later, Carolyn’s still volunteering most Wednesdays with Dementia North’s Young Onset Dementia (YODA) group in Mount Albert, supporting people living with dementia at a younger age than many people expect.
“I went along to give it a go, and honestly, I wasn’t sure how I would go with it,” she says. “But from the get-go, I loved it, and now Wednesdays are one of the highlights of my week!
“They’re just such a lovely group of people. You can just be yourself, and they can be themselves. It’s a really nice, connected community.”
Carolyn says it’s often the small moments she enjoys most. A conversation over a newspaper headline, a song that brings back a memory, and lots of laughs as the group try new activities.
“We had a go at trying our hands with poi one day recently, which was hilarious because no one could really do it! But we all had so much fun trying.”
Before volunteering, Carolyn’s experience of dementia came through her grandmother, who lived with Alzheimer’s disease. She also brought something less visible – years spent caring for others. After raising two children, now aged 18 and 20, she found herself with a little more space in her life.
“I thought it’d be quite nice to look after others, just taking care of people and trying to make a difference.”
What she didn’t expect was how much she would gain herself.
“What I really love about the group is just the fun we have. So much fun, honestly. The social connection is just amazing, and it really lights me up to see all the clients interacting and having a great time.”
For Carolyn, it has never been about doing something extraordinary. It’s about getting involved and being part of her local community, and of course, it’s all about the people.
“They’re all so amazing – intelligent, witty and often full of mischief!”
That sense of connection sits at the heart of Dementia North’s Living Well programmes.
Through Living Well groups, people living with dementia can continue to take part in meaningful activities, maintain social connections and spend time with others who understand their experiences. At the same time, care partners and whānau can have time for work, appointments, family responsibilities or simply a chance to recharge.
Volunteers play an important part in making those days possible.
Whether it’s sharing a conversation over lunch, joining a walk, helping with an activity or simply being another friendly face in the room, volunteers help create the welcoming environment that participants look forward to each week.
Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu | National Volunteer Week celebrates the people who give their time across Aotearoa. A huge thanks to Carolyn and our many other volunteers helping Dementia North deliver programmes that support people living with dementia | mate wareware and the people who walk alongside them.
