The Who Did You Help Today Trust has a vision of a New Zealand that adopts a helping movement, and is void of community division because caring is the norm. Founder Stacey Shortall says, “Regardless of whether the act is a small gesture or a big effort, helping makes a real difference in the lives of others.” This can include reaching out to someone who needs a kind word, volunteering your time to a community organisation, or even donating money to a cause. As a part of this helping movement, the Who Did You Help Today Trust runs projects to bridge the gap between those who need assistance, and those keen to volunteer their time to contribute. The Mothers Project connects volunteer lawyers with women in prison to provide legal help that supports relationships with their children. Research links regular family contact between mothers in prison and their children to improved child well-being, a better transition from prison to home, and a decreased likelihood of the mother returning to prison. The lawyers review and explain legal documents, liaise with court-appointed lawyers to schedule visits with mothers and their children, help mothers understand their parental rights and responsibilities and plan for their return home after their sentence.The Mothers Project has been running at Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility for two years. In 2016, it was introduced at Wellington’s Arohata Prison, and is expanding to the Christchurch Women’s Prison. Homework Help Club connects volunteers from local organisations with students at low decile schools to establish homework groups that promote learning for children. Research shows that students from low socioeconomic communities face more barriers to obtain educational achievement. The club opens children’s eyes to the possibilities available to them in the future, while giving the volunteers a strong sense of community. HelpTank is an online hub that offers a way to connect not for profits in need of help, and volunteers with specialist skills. The site provides guidance to enable effective matches, including assistance for not for profits to develop their volunteer projects, and other tips for the organisations and the volunteers. People simply search for the sector they would like to work with and enter the skills they have to offer. They are also able to choose the location in which they would like to work (or select remote), and apply for assignments that match their criteria. Please visit our website, http://helptank.nz, or visit the HelpTank page for more information on the project.
