Volunteer Week 2020
Published 25 June 2020
Meet some of the volunteers that make up the Wellington Curtain Bank
Lynley Wilson, a former Wellington Curtain Bank coordinator once said that “Volunteers are like cheese scones - New Zealand wouldn’t be the same without them.”
Even today, no truer words have been spoken about volunteers. Volunteers are the backbone of this country.
Every day for the past ten years, an eclectic mix of thoughtful committed individuals have come together to help make curtains for vulnerable families in need. This equals about $70,000 worth of time donated to keeping others warm, each year.
Meet some of the volunteers that make up the Wellington Curtain Bank.
Meet Maggie. Maggie is a keen sewer and fabric enthusiast heads up our Trademe sales. She also reckons she can smell cotton.
“I joined the Curtain Bank in 2016. I’ve always loved fabric, sewing and textures - so when my daughter came across the Wellington Curtain Bank, I knew I had found my spiritual home.
I look forward to coming in, even when the weather doesn’t want me to… there’s something about the ‘fru-fru’ of the fabric and being in that upcycling and recycling environment. I also enjoy being around like-minded people who know what I mean when I talk about environmental issues.”
Maggie heads up our fabric sales on Trademe.
“I took over fabric sales from someone else. Initially, I didn’t want to do it, but now I really enjoy the hustle. I enjoy being the matchmaker - helping people find the right fabric for their needs. I’ve provided period pieces for film sets and art installations. There’s something rewarding about the process.
I just love fabric. I will jump into a bin if I feel like there’s fabric in there.”
Meet Mike. Mike is a retired roofer who stopped in Wellington on his way to Nelson and never left.
“I spent 20 years as a roofer in Hamilton, but after a couple of accidents - I knew I needed to take care of myself.
The plan was to move to Nelson, but I stopped in Wellington and just never left. People were really nice here. My Work and Income case manager found me a brand new Housing New Zealand property and suggested that I try volunteering to meet people. So I did.
I can’t remember exactly when I started volunteering at the Curtain Bank, but I remember coming to a Volunteer Week celebration last year, so I’d say that I have been here just over a year.
I come from a tradie background, so being a part of the Curtain Bank is very different. I’ve never worked with so many ladies. I enjoy it though. Everyone is so down-to-earth and supportive. I always look forward to coming in.
My job involves checking the quality of the curtains, measuring them up and making sure everything is in the right place. I just want to make everything easier for everyone else.”
When Mike isn’t volunteering at the Curtain Bank, he’s off helping out at Wellington Cats Protection League.
Meet Susanna. Mum of one and two times curtain recipient has just joined the Curtain Bank as a volunteer.
Susanna Hay had received two sets of curtains and has recently become a volunteer, checking, preparing, and stacking curtains.
“My windows did have curtains, but they were really disgusting, didn't go to the ground, and smelled of smoke. I can't remember how I heard about the Curtain Bank, but thought it was through some friends, and was amazed at how easy it was, feeling no shame or judgement.”
She and her son moved multiple times over the next couple of years, donating the first set of curtains back when they moved out.
“They even asked what colours I wanted, and at that point, I was just glad to get free curtains.”
With her son Jacob now at school, Susanna has chosen to volunteer at the Curtain Bank. This is what we call a social circular economy.
