Geraldine’s Sweet Louise Story
This National Volunteer Week, we wanted to do a special shout out to Geraldine.
Geraldine has been volunteering with Sweet Louise for over 18 months, supporting our community gatherings in her local area of Christchurch.
She was first introduced to volunteering through earlier roles with Look Good Feel Better and Ronald McDonald House and later connected with Sweet Louise through a friend.
After stepping back from volunteering during COVID, she felt a strong pull to return to meaningful community work.
Her volunteering is deeply shaped by her personal journey, including the loss of her husband Bill 10 years ago, who encouraged her to “keep living and contributing.”
Geraldine describes Sweet Louise as a place where she can form genuine, ongoing connections with members – something she hadn’t experienced in previous volunteer roles.
She finds the Sweet Louise members inspiring, positive, and full of humour, even in incredibly difficult circumstances.
“I come away from every meeting feeling valued. We have a lot of laughs and really enjoy each other’s company.”
She also highlights the importance of practical support, such as vouchers and assistance, and the meaningful difference this makes for those supported by Sweet Louise.
One of her biggest learnings has been not to take anything for granted and to appreciate life’s small moments.
“I feel very fortunate in my life, and I want to give back.”
She describes her involvement as a mutual source of healing: “Sweet Louise has done as much for me as I hope I’ve done for the members.”
Volunteering with Sweet Louise is, for Geraldine, an “absolute privilege.”
Thank you, Geraldine, for your compassion, kindness, and generosity. You are at the heart of Sweet Louise.
#NVW2026
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