Parkinsons team media-ready

For NZ on On Air Communications Manager Allanah Kalafatelis, volunteering through the Community Comms Collective allows her to use her skills and experience to make a difference. “It’s rewarding to feel that I have helped in some small way. I’ve often wondered how I could ‘give back’ – this is the perfect solution. It’s a win-win for all involved.”

Allanah was matched with Parkinson’s New Zealand to do some media training for its Chief Executive, Clinical Director and Communications and Marketing Manager, Natasha McDougall. Natasha says they had identified they needed some help with media and decided to approach the collective. She says the team swung into action and they very quickly they had a brief and a volunteer match. “Allanah was amazing! She not only shared her time and huge range of skills with us, she also introduced us to her networks! When the media came calling because of a significant research breakthrough we were ready! Asking for help from the collective is one of the best decisions we have made. We tell everyone we meet to use this fantastic support!” says Natasha.

Allanah says it has been rewarding to feel that she has helped in some small way. “A bonus is that I can use skills I might not need to use in my current paid work, so it keeps me fresh.”