In the Illawarra Flame's latest Community Champions film, we chat to Barry, a volunteer, and Peter, a client, at Northern Illawarra Neighbour Aid to find out why the community transport provider is "the greatest thing since sliced bread" – click here to watch our short film or read the article below.
Every Thursday Peter from Austinmer gets picked up by a volunteer driver from Northern Illawarra Neighbour Aid (NINA). He is a lovely, well-spoken gentleman, keen to praise the services NINA provides him with. “I look forward to it [the drive]”, Peter says.
According to him, “[NINA] is the greatest thing since sliced bread.” He adds that he lives by himself and really enjoys the social interaction.
His driver, Barry Thompson, has been a volunteer driver with NINA for five years. He too enjoys it: “I’ve driven Peter a few times, we build a bit of rapport and I look forward driving him.”
Asked where they are going today, Barry says: “We’re going to take him to the chiropodist and then we’ll take him shopping – the Corrimal mall. It’s about an hour and a half drive and it will turn into a talk-fest because we’re both interested in the same things.”
Barry credits NINA as an organisation with a high standard of integrity and encourages everyone to volunteer with them. “We really need volunteers because our client base is growing. We particularly need drivers. I volunteer about two, three days a week as I got plenty of time, but even a couple of hours is greatly appreciated.”
Dennis Hamilton (70) has been with NINA for 17 years as a driver. “I do bus trips. Outings and shopping trips, anything that is required with the bus.”
Asked about his favourite outing to date, Dennis says he has too many to choose from. “I’ve done some nice ones, down to Kangaroo Valley, Mittagong, Katoomba… We went up to Katoomba once, up to the Hydro Majestic Hotel. That was very flash for a high tea, sitting there, enjoying the beautiful views over the Blue Mountains. That was good."
Dennis agrees with Barry. “It’s a very good organisation.”
He thinks, “It is a bit of a shame that not more people are involved. A lot of people in the town that I recommend it to, they say things like: 'Oh, I’m not old enough for that.' Or 'I don’t really need that.' And I say to them: 'Well, just join it. And then if you do need it, you’re in straightaway.'”
For Dennis, working with NINA provides an interest in life. “It’s a community activity to help people out. Eventually we all become clients and need help ourselves.”
NINA is a not-for-profit organisation with offices at 18 Walker Street, Helensburgh. Call (02) 4294 1900 or visit NINA's website for more information.