National Volunteer Week spotlight – Darcy

Image description: Feature volunteer Darcy stands next to his trusty Blind Low Vision NZ Guide Dog, Marco.

Giving back and staying connected through volunteering

“Sometimes the most valuable thing you can offer is just being yourself, being supportive and showing up.”

Meet Darcy. Fitness enthusiast, musician, and vocalist. Some might call him a triple threat. But that is only scratching the surface! This talented young Kiwi is also making a huge impact in the lives of others as a Blind Low Vision NZ volunteer.

After becoming a Blind Low Vision NZ member when he lost his sight due to a brain tumour, Darcy has gone on to give back as a volunteer, making a meaningful impact in the lives of others in the blind and low vision community.

Based in Whanganui, one of his main volunteer roles is leading the chair exercise programme, where he works alongside sighted guide volunteer Lance and Sport and Leisure Adviser Sarah, to help members stay active, build strength, and have a bit of fun along the way.

“The purpose of the chair exercise is to help keep other members and volunteers fit, and help them keep strength in their arms so they can lift their groceries,” says Darcy.

The sessions are about much more than exercise. They’re a chance for people to get together, have a laugh, enjoy some music, and support one another.

When he’s not leading exercises, Darcy is helping shape local activities as a member of the Whanganui Community Committee. He helps plan events which create opportunities for people to connect across the local community.

For Darcy, volunteering is more than giving his time. It’s about creating a place where people feel connected, included, and part of something bigger.

Building connections through community volunteering

One of the things Darcy values most about volunteering is the people he has met along the way, and has built a wide network of friendships and connections.

Through his involvement, he has developed strong relationships with Blind Low Vision NZ staff, as well as other volunteers, members, and community supporters. For Darcy, these connections are one of the most rewarding parts of volunteering. They help him stay engaged, involved, and connected to a community where people support one another, share experiences, and celebrate each other’s successes.

Of course, there is one companion who rarely misses an adventure.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have been paired with a guide dog, and having Marco has made a huge difference in my life,” says Darcy. “I need to walk him, and this ensures that I’m out of the house with him.”

For Darcy, Marco is more than a guide dog. He’s a walking buddy, a source of independence, and another reason to get out into the community and connect with others.

Advice for Future Blind Low Vision NZ Volunteers

Darcy’s advice for anyone considering volunteering is refreshingly straightforward.

For Darcy, volunteering has never been about grand gestures. It’s about being involved, making connections, and helping create a community where people feel welcome and supported. His message is simple: you don’t need special skills or endless spare time to make a difference.

Sometimes all it takes is showing up, getting involved, and being yourself.