BE A VOLUNTEER AT ARMS If you have:  Some spare time  Want to share your skills and expertise  Want to learn new skills  Want to contribute to the successful operation of ARMS Then, your commitment to our organisation as a Volunteer would be gratefully appreciated. Your engagement as a Volunteer to ARMS will bring greater knowledge, more understanding, and the pleasure of meeting new people from all around the world. Our Volunteer Programme is based on project work within the various services of ARMS. We encourage volunteers to firstly be located at our Front Desk Reception, working alongside our experienced staff. From here, volunteers may have opportunities to move into other areas of the organisation to provide assistance and support to the specific Service. A large proportion of our volunteers are successful in gaining employment in other organisations, because of their participation in the ARMS Volunteer Programme. To register your interest as a Volunteer, please complete the Application Form and email this through to our Customer Services Representative at: reception@arms-mrc.org.nz
VOLUNTEER FEEDBACK
Vidya Furtado I really appreciate the work done by ARMS in helping new migrants. The various free programmes really provide valuable information in knowing the culture, people, work place, employment tips and how to relate and settle well in a new country. I have found these programmes very informative and helpful. I had attended the First Steps to Employment Workshop and learnt about the volunteering programme. On application I got the opportunity to work as a volunteer for ARMS on Thursdays and Fridays. I believe this has been my most worthwhile contribution in my entire life. I got exposed to various important aspects of the workplace and experience to work in a multi-cultural environment in NZ. Everyone was good to me and helped me to learn new things. This volunteer work experience in NZ helped me to get interview calls. ARMS gave my work reference to the employer and I got a job within one month of volunteering. I truly believe that it is really important to volunteer in this country as it helps one to gain a NZ work experience and also has a major contribution in gaining paid employment in NZ. I am truly privileged by this experience and heartily thank-you for this opportunity to volunteer in your esteemed organisation.
Avive Benitez and Ravika Java have been working voluntarily in ARMS since July 2008. They are currently supporting the ARMS Communications staff. 'Volunteering at ARMS has offered me with a great opportunity for networking with other people and organisations', Avive said. Gaining New Zealand work experience is often vital for new migrants and refugees who are trying to find employment. Volunteering can provide a useful stepping stone into paid work and an opportunity to learn about the NZ work culture.