Strong Voices

People supported by IDEA Services contributed more than 32,000 hours to New Zealand communities in 2024, through the Student Volunteer Army (SVA) Service Award.

Since 2022, IDEA Services and SVA have been partnering to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment.

“Volunteers have a big impact on keeping our communities running well, and we know that people with intellectual disabilities are big contributors,” says IHC Chief Executive Andrew Crisp. “We are delighted to have partnered with SVA on this great initiative and that people IDEA Services support are now recognised through this scheme, like any other members of the community, for the essential contributions they make.”

The SVA Service Award is a nationally recognised framework to celebrate the impacts of volunteering. Users log hours in the SVA web app, building a Summary of Service to showcase their achievements. They receive pins when they reach key milestones.

Since its inception in 2019, the SVA Service Award has seen tens of thousands of students in New Zealand intermediate and secondary schools log over 2 million hours of volunteering. The programme was introduced to the disability sector in an eight-month pilot at IDEA Services hubs in Christchurch in March 2022. It has now been launched in all 27 areas nationwide.

IDEA Services National Programme Manager, Philippa Johnson-Alatalo, says, “IDEA Services’ vision is for people with intellectual disabilities to participate and be valued as an important part of their communities. SVA celebrates the diverse forms that volunteering can take, beyond what might be considered ‘traditional’ volunteering. It is a great step towards acknowledging the many ways the people we support are giving back.”

One such volunteer is Nina Amer, a 23-year-old who attends the IDEA Services Youth Space hub in Dunedin and has been awarded a Bronze Pin for completing 158 hours of volunteering. Nina is a lover of music, yoga and martial arts; she plays several instruments and has a black belt. Her significant volunteering activities include supporting the St Clair School choir, teaching the recorder and helping to run a local dance group for people with disabilities. She also collects rubbish in local parks and sorts clothes for Pregnancy Help.

“I was so happy and proud of myself for achieving my goals and getting my SVA Service Award certificate and badge,” says Nina. “I wear my badge proudly and I look forward to building on my hours and building to another level.

“I like sharing my skills with other people and making them happy. I enjoy working with other people and having fun.”

“Nina’s achievements are a demonstration of all her hard work and commitment to her local community,” says Philippa. “The SVA Service Award provides a way for people with intellectual disabilities to feel appreciated for their contributions, fostering a sense of belonging and driving social change through volunteering.”

SVA Head of Programmes, Cat Robertson, says, “It’s fantastic to see people supported by IDEA Services across the country, many of whom have been volunteering in their communities for years, embracing the SVA Service Award programme – logging their volunteer hours, reaching key milestones and being awarded their pins.”

In 2024, 325 people supported by IDEA Services were responsible for 5.6% of all the SVA Service Award hours nationally.

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Caption 1: Nina Amer collecting rubbish.

Caption 2: Nina Amer supporting the St Clair School Choir.