Parisa | 2017 - present
"I applied for volunteering at Imagination Station online at Student Job Search and started volunteering because I love helping people and want to be useful to society. I learned a second language of English. I want to show empathy towards others and I know what it is like to struggle and need a helping hand in my home country, so I wanted to do the same here in my new home (New Zealand). I love to encourage others, because of my personal struggle, I understand the power of pushing through and never giving up. I’m also passionate about children and I want them to feel loved and safe around me.
Since volunteering, I have grown more confident. Previously, I have been quickly turned down by people because of my disability, but since going through training and interacting with customers as a volunteer at Imagination Station, I have found my voice. Volunteering has given me the power to aim high and reach for what I want. I am so passionate about kids being happy and learning.
I want to encourage others to volunteer! It's the best experience, the best thing done in my life. You gain a completely new experience, that can contribute to whatever you want to do in life. Even when it gets difficult, you learn to keep going and you always learn something from it."
Parisa is a Volunteer Leader, taking on more responsibility by helping train new volunteers and supervising them in our general play area. Parisa is truly a breath of fresh air, proving to us all every day that no matter your circumstances, there’s no limit in what you can do. Imagination Station is proud to have such a bold and inspiring volunteer like Parisa.
Bart | 2016 - present
"I started my volunteer journey around the beginning of August in 2016. I was looking for a part time job around that time and it was suggested I look on a volunteer website for any interesting jobs. I found that Imagination Station was looking for volunteers, so I applied for it and got the job.
During my first few shifts there I wasn't too sure of what to do, but over time I got to know a lot of new people and made friends while improving my volunteer skills. Then about a year later I was volunteer of the month and I wasn't expecting it at all. Over the next couple of years later I got to meet so many people and my friendships grew as well. I got to experience a lot of cool things over the time since starting like volunteer evenings, holiday programs like brick school, pop-up play areas and much more.
What I gained out of my time here is more confidence talking to customers and getting various tasks done around Imagination Station. Since moving to Tūranga in 2018 from Cathedral Junction, it has gotten a lot busier and we've had a lot more people coming in and it has been keeping me busy helping with the LEGO and library staff.
I applied for a volunteer leadership position to become a volunteer leader and I got the job! I'm excited to help lead other volunteers and be a good leader. How my life changed since starting is that I got to meet lots of people and make lots of new friends along the way and experience a lot of different things as a volunteer. I'm enjoying my time as an experienced volunteer and as a Volunteer Leader and I hope to see you guys down at Imagination Station."
Bart is easily one of our most approachable volunteers, something we at Imagination Station find invaluable. It has been a privilege to see him further develop his leadership skills, and make Imagination Station a warmer place to be.
