A Lifetime of Volunteering: Bev Giles
Bev Giles is the Manager of Volunteering Northland, but her volunteer journey has lasted a lifetime.
While Hospice is the main organisation I currently volunteer for, my volunteering journey began long before that - when I was just 18 years old.
As a teenager, I was quite shy and struggled to find my confidence and sense of belonging in the world. One day, I heard a radio advertisement calling for volunteer telephone counsellors at Youthline. Something about it resonated with me, and I decided to apply. After completing the training programme, I volunteered as a Youthline phone counsellor for around two years before heading off on my OE.
That experience marked the beginning of what would become a lifelong journey of volunteering. It gave me my first taste of how powerful and rewarding it feels to give back and support others during challenging times.
Finding My Place with Hospice
For the past six years, I have volunteered as a retail assistant in various Hospice shops. I chose Hospice because of the incredible work they do and because their values so closely align with my own. I also happen to love meeting new people — and, let’s be honest, I love shopping!
I began volunteering with Hospice after resigning from a 25-year career in the corporate world to start my own life coaching business. While I was building my client base, I found myself with some spare time and decided to volunteer once a week. What I didn’t expect was how quickly volunteering would become such a meaningful part of my life.
I met wonderful people, built genuine friendships, and found a strong sense of connection — especially valuable as I had recently moved to the area. When we relocated further north 18 months ago, I naturally sought out anew Hospice shop and was warmly welcomed into the team.
More Than I Ever Gave
What I’ve gained through volunteering is difficult to measure, but it has given me so much more than the time and energy I’ve invested.
Starting out as a Youthline counsellor helped me develop skills that built confidence and shaped my future career. Those early experiences laid the foundations for coaching, mentoring, and leading otherslater in life.
Over the years, my volunteer journey has included mentoring at-risk youth, serving as an adviser for Citizens Advice, being a board member for a low-decile school and a women’s support centre, helping at local galas and community events — and many other roles along the way.
The Joy of Volunteering
I haven’t encountered any major challenges throughout my volunteering journey. Like anywhere, there have been moments where I haven’t seen eye to eye with someone, but I’ve never let that deter me.
Today, I volunteer at Hospice every second Friday, and I absolutely love it. It’s my happy place — a space where I can be myself, connect with a diverse range of people, and occasionally discover some incredible additions to my wardrobe. My friends now affectionately refer to me as “the Op Shop Queen!”
When Passion Meets Purpose
Landing my current paid role as Manager of Volunteering Northland felt like the icing on the cake. It brought together everything I’m passionate about — community, connection, and supporting others through volunteering.
Volunteering is part of my DNA and always will be. It has shaped who I am, enriched my life beyond measure, and continues to remind me of the power of giving back.
