Victim Support
Free, nationwide support for people affected by crime, suicide and traumatic events.
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June 22, 2022
Volunteer stories
Maria has been a volunteer for six years. During this time, she has supported multiple people in her small community, trained in homicide support, and was one of many Victim Support volunteers and workers who travelled to Christchurch to support the victims of the mosque attack.
For Maria, this work is a privilege.
“For people to trust you and let you into their life at a time when they’re at their lowest is a big deal,” she says. “I always make sure to thank people when I’m supporting them: ‘thank you for talking to me and thank you for sharing your story.’”
"I’d want to know that I would have someone looking out for me, that help is there.”
She was nominated by her Team Leader Gwen, who describes her as an “exceptional volunteer.” Gwen noted that Maria shows a huge commitment to victims in their small community and will often sacrifice her personal life to ensure victims receive the support they need.
Maria is grateful for the support she receives from Gwen, as well as support from her wider team. "The support is really valuable. It’s not only from our managers but also fellow volunteers, as well as ongoing training, and access to counselling if we need it."
She sums up her motivations for her work pretty simply: “people need help, they need someone to listen to them.”
“It’s knowing that you can actually help someone get out of that immediate situation,” Maria says. “It’s not saying everything is going to be okay – because you could never say that – but it’s just being there and keeping in contact until you know they don’t need you anymore. One day it could be me on the end of the phone needing help,” she says. “It could be any one of us. I’d want to know that I would have someone looking out for me, that help is there.”
