Finding Community and Confidence Through Volunteering
My Volunteering Journey
Azzurra Snelgrove-Douch, Tāmaki Makaurau, New Zealand
As a full-time university student, volunteering has given me the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone, learn new skills, and connect with people in ways I never expected. From teaching English to ushering at fashion week, each experience has challenged me, inspired me, and helped shape who I am.
I first became involved with the Youth Peace Language Association (YPLA) after learning more about the Palestinian struggle and wanting to find a meaningful way to contribute. As an English speaker, I recognised how valuable language can be and saw teaching English as a skill I could use to support others. Through a student-run digital internship, I helped create lesson plans for volunteers teaching Arabic-speaking students.
Over six months, I researched topics, created slideshows, developed activities, and built “wordbanks” with Arabic translations to support learning. What stood out most to me was the sense of global community. Students and volunteers from around the world came together through a shared passion for peace and education. Some contributed translations, others taught directly, and together we created a kind of lifeline that connected people across borders.
As my passion for volunteering grew, I looked for opportunities in other areas too. I began ushering at NZ Fashion Week and volunteering through a “Conversations with Locals” English programme.
Each role has been rewarding in completely different ways, while also presenting challenges that pushed me to grow.
One of the biggest lessons I learned was seeing the reality behind grassroots organisations. Volunteering often meant working alongside other students and peers, where everyone contributed in practical, hands-on ways. Organisation could sometimes be challenging, especially in smaller volunteer-led spaces, but it also revealed the very human side of community work.
For me, volunteering is about seeing individual strengths come together for a shared purpose.
Through the people I’ve met, I’ve gained insight into different talents, perspectives, and experiences. Some of my favourite moments have been the lighter ones too — like watching fellow Fashion Week volunteers practising their runway walks while packing up sets between shows. It reminded me that volunteering doesn’t always have to be serious to be meaningful.
There were definitely moments when I questioned whether I could keep going — running from university lectures to Fashion Week during exam season, or stepping outside my comfort zone to teach English. But volunteering taught me the importance of community and teamwork. The idea that “it takes a village” became very real to me. Learning to rely on others, rather than trying to do everything alone, is what made volunteering possible alongside my studies.
I truly believe there is a volunteering role for everyone, no matter how much time or experience they have to offer.
Volunteering has helped me build confidence, develop practical skills, and gain insight into possible future career paths.
I’ve learned to think on my feet — whether explaining grammar rules, welcoming guests (including celebrities!) to events, or adapting quickly in unfamiliar situations.
Most importantly, volunteering has been an incredibly rich and fulfilling experience. It has allowed me to share my skills and passions with others while continuing to learn from the people around me. It’s something I hope to continue being part of well into the future.
Written by Azzurra Snelgrove-Douch, Volunteering Auckland Media Team
