Volunteer Spotlight Sacha Brown - Strong community values formed through volunteering

Strong community values formed through volunteering
Story by Janine Duncan

Passionate about community, people, and contributing to society, Whangarei newcomer Sacha Brown has found volunteering the perfect way to fulfil these needs, meet people, and find a sense of purpose.

Sacha and her husband moved to Whangarei earlier this year, seeking a lifestyle change, and the opportunity to be closer to family. Originally from Upper Hutt, she attended Victoria University of Wellington and was employed at the Ministry of Social Development for eight years, working across multiple departments.

Volunteering and giving back were an integral part of her childhood. As a young girl, she assisted at street appeals, and volunteered at her local church on Christmas Day. These early experiences formed strong values, especially the importance of community and helping others, which are still a fundamental part of her life. “I think everyone should volunteer. For me, volunteering is more than just giving time, it’s an investment in the fabric of the community.”

Sacha considers volunteering an ideal way for students, school leavers, and university graduates to explore potential career paths, and gain valuable experience for future employment. While studying, she volunteered for the SPCA, and assisted at a Red Cross retail store, and believes these experiences were tremendously helpful in securing paid work. “Trying to get your first job can be really tough, and volunteering is a great way to meet people and network.”

Moving to a new city, Sacha wished to build networks, form contacts, and familiarise herself with the local community. To help achieve these goals, she met with Volunteering Northland in August 2025. Learning about her previous work experience, skills and capabilities, they immediately offered her a voluntary community connections/administration role. This entailed contacting member organisations; offering them assistance to find suitable volunteers, and updating the organisation’s computer systems.

During this time, Sacha has also been involved with Multicultural Whangarei’s digital technology for seniors programme, commenced volunteering at North Haven Hospice, and has assisted Citizens Advice Bureau. Presenting digital workshops was a new experience, however Sacha has fully embraced the challenge, and finds it extremely rewarding. Her natural rapport with people make it an ideal fit, and she loves teaching on a one to one and small group basis.

Moving forward, Sacha is open to new volunteering opportunities, and is keen to collaborate with contacts formed at community networking meetings. Ultimately, she hopes to secure paid employment. Wherever her path leads, it must involve people, connection, and a supportive team environment.

To aspiring volunteers, she says “Don’t think twice. Reach out to Volunteering Northland. Sometimes it can be a bit daunting going into an environment where you don't know anyone. But I haven't met anyone I didn't like in the volunteering space. I think everyone's there for a good reason, and they're all really supportive. Everything comes back to people, the impact you have on others, and the difference you're able to make to someone's life. Just give it a go!”