Posted on 15 July 2026
EventsSome Christchurch-based Open Polytechnic kaimahi (staff) spent their volunteer leave serving the elderly community at a mid-winter Christmas-themed lunch at St Albans Baptist Church in Christchurch recently.
From left, Brenda Shanks, Michelle Manning, Sonia Eustace, and Ondreyah Tupuivao-Fa'atui, all from Learning Delivery, helped the Neighbourhood Trust make the occasion a special one.
“We all enjoyed the day and felt it was a very worthwhile experience,” says Sonia Eustace who organised the day.
The volunteers helped set up the dining space, decorated the venue, made cups of tea and coffee for the guests, served food, and then assisted with clearing and packing down after the event.
According to Sonia, the Christchurch Student Mentor team has actively taken part in volunteering in the local community for the last three years and is keen to continue doing it in the future.
“We find it very rewarding and enjoy working together as a team outside our usual work environment,” Sonia says.
Open Polytechnic kaimahi can take one day of paid leave to volunteer each year, as Volunteer Leave, to give back to their communities by volunteering for a not-for-profit organisation, charity or community organisation.