Volunteering helps fill a social gap
18 May 2026
In 2024, Aarthi Roopesh was halfway through her degree in Cyber Security Engineering when she realised there was something missing in her life. “My degree is very technical and hands-on. I’m looking at systems most of the time and I wasn’t doing one of the things I loved most, meeting new people,” says Aarathi.
Aarthi, now age 21, says she’s somewhere in between an introvert, which helps with the focus on her degree, and an extrovert, who needed more social connection than just her circle of friends.
The opportunity to volunteer as a retail assistant at the Petone Red Cross Shop was just what she needed. It also appealed to her strong sense of social responsibility.
“I’ve always been taught that you need to give back to your community. Because my family has been donating to Red Cross for years, it was natural for me to volunteer for them. The Petone store was perfect for me because I know the area well. We used to live around there when my family first moved to New Zealand.”
At the shop
Aarthi says there was a steep learning curve when she started volunteering. “I have never had any exposure to working in retail before, so I was learning new things.”
During Aarathi’s first shifts, the assistant shop manager on duty helped calm her nerves. ““Debbie was amazing. She literally had to hold my hand as I was meeting new people and she was showing me what I needed to do,” says Aarathi. Her good experiences with volunteer leaders have continued, and Aarthi is also full of praise for Penny, who now leads the team during her shifts.
Now two years into her volunteering role at the shop, Aarthi says she looks forward to every shift. “I love the casual moments. Just sharing a smile or a friendly chat with a stranger.
“Everyone is going through some tough times right now, and I think that’s something we all really need. Even a two-minute conversation can really help lighten the load and make us feel better.”
Confidence and experience
Aarthi feels this growth in a service-orientated mindset has helped her take more notice of what is happening for people around her. “If I see someone at university who is struggling, or someone in the community who needs some help, I ask if there anything I can do to help.”
She says the experience has also given her valuable workplace skills. “I have a lot more confidence. I recently applied successfully for an internship and find it easier to give presentations and speak to people.”
Aarthi has enjoyed the experience so much she has even persuaded her sister to join her as a volunteer at the Petone shop. She has also managed to convince her friends that volunteering is not something you do because you don’t have a job.
“I regularly tell my friends that it’s about a feeling that you’re doing something good, for someone else without expecting anything in return.”
More information
Interested in volunteering in one of our retail shops? We have more than 50 Red Cross stores around the country.
Volunteer as a retail assistant
Are you a young person looking for other volunteer opportunities? We have roles available, including in our Red Cross shops, providing support for former refugees, helping prepare for and respond to emergencies, and leadership.
Find a volunteer role