Strong Voices

In December, Auckland restaurants were full of people enjoying Christmas get-togethers and the start of the summer holidays. Among them, one group had a different reason to celebrate.

Josie Hyslop and Robyn Forgie from Auckland’s North Shore, and John Gill and Peter Ranby from West Auckland, met as part of the IHC Volunteer Friendship Programme in its early days.

IHC launched its Volunteer Friendship Programme 20 years ago in response to a call from people with intellectual disabilities living in IHC residences, who wanted to make friends and to feel included in the communities in which they lived.

Josie and Robyn first met 16 years ago. Since that first meeting, the women have ticked off many good times. “We have done a lot of local outings over the years,” Josie says.

“When Robyn was more able-bodied we went for boat rides across the Waitemata Harbour, train rides and general sightseeing, enjoying car rides with stopovers for coffee all over Auckland – mall shopping, getting our nails done.

“Robyn enjoys a chat and anything that makes her laugh. It makes me very happy to hear her laugh.

“Lunch at my place where she can catch up with my family is always a hit – a glass of wine on those special days, birthdays and family celebrations.”

John and Peter have been friends for 14 years and, like Josie and Robyn, the friendship includes John’s family.

“If I was not home from work, or was out mowing the lawns, Peter would happily chat to my wife and kids,” John says. “Peter and I had a year before my family and I moved to Nigeria. During these two years our contact was minimal. When we returned to New Zealand, we just picked up from where we were.”

John says Peter is particularly interested in science and technology, music, fashion, nuclear power, atomic structure and chemistry. “Peter will converse at length on any of these.

“Peter writes me a list of the things he wants to research. We look them up, find some images and supporting text with dates and inventors – then print. Peter files this in a folder that is frequently referenced. He loves the information, but it’s the time spent together during the collection that seems important. Peter is constantly amazed at how little I know,” John says.

“Pete reminds me to stop and look at life through someone else’s perspective. He reminds me that frequent, seemingly insignificant, actions can have positive impact on someone else’s life.

“My kids, now grown, have always been accepting of those who face different challenges in life. Peter has played a part in that education.

“Every phone call, every meeting, Peter has always asked after the wellbeing of my wife and each of my kids,” John says.

“Peter has his own family who have spent a lifetime caring for and loving him. It’s a privilege to be able to assist in some small way.”

Peter says John is a good person. “We are both funny.” He says they enjoy visiting museums. “I tend to go to [the] War Memorial Museum and then MOTAT. We do have coffees out too,” he says. “I introduced my brother to him – Bruce.

“At first, I had another buddy, but it didn’t work out. That is when I got John Gill. But John Gill is the best because he has stayed with me the longest.”

IHC’s volunteer friendship programme is about making a positive change in someone’s life and gaining a new friend in the process. It is not time specific. There is choice and flexibility. The emphasis is on being out in the community having fun with someone who has shared interests with you. For more information, see IHC Volunteering.

Caption: Friends go the distance (from left) Josie Hyslop, Robyn Forgie, John Gill and Peter Ranby.

‍