Good company and a chance to ‘get out of his comfort zone’ is what keeps local man Shane Torrence volunteering with Nelson Presbyterian support, and the heavily-tattooed helper has been dubbed a “volunteer extraordinaire” by his colleagues.
After losing his legs and some of his sight to Type 1 diabetes, Shane was unable to continue his job as a painter and decorator – so he decided to become a volunteer and hasn’t looked back since.
Shane said that, initially, he was turned away from one volunteer group because of his tattoos and shaved head. “They didn’t have a place for me,” says Shane. “People take me differently because of my appearance.”
But then someone suggested Presbyterian Support, and Day Services Manager Trish Armstrong decided to give him a chance. He has now been there for four-and-a-half years and says he will be there “until they tell me to bugger off.”
As a volunteer for Enliven Positive Aging Services, Shane helps out with the Totara programme – a day club where frail or isolated people can get together and enjoy good company, activities and mutual support.
Shane helps out assisting with the van run, transporting clients to and from the day programmes.
He is also a paid part-time employee, working in the kitchen for three lunch periods a week.
“At first, I was completely out of my comfort zone, but the people were so friendly, welcoming and accepting. I get on with them all very well,” says Shane. “It’s funny, I’m just over 50 and the ladies are just over 70, but they have such a great sense of humour and we always have a laugh together. I think I’m the only one who can get away with tattoos and looks like I do – they take me as a totally different person.”
Shane says if he wasn’t volunteering at Presbyterian Support, he’s not sure what he would be doing. “But this keeps me busy and helps with my attitude towards life.”
