St John's free Caring Caller service is available in many areas.
Caring Caller volunteers make a daily phone call, which can make all the difference to quality of life for people who find it difficult to get out and about, or to visit with friends, family, or community groups.
Caring Caller is a free long-term service, not a help line.
It is friendship by phone that both the recipient and their Caring Caller enjoy.
If the Caring Caller cannot get an answer when they phone, St John sends someone to make sure all is well. This can be particularly important if neighbours, friends or family are away, or cannot be nearby every day of the week.
Brian has been a St John Caring Caller volunteer for several years.
The former teacher and lecturer volunteered to become part of the service because he thought it would be a great way to help others in need, from his own home.
Brian and his wife, Kathy, became Caring Caller volunteers at the same time.
They each have their own clients who they phone and chat with every day. As well as being a Caring Caller, Brian is himself a regular user of the St John Health Shuttle service in Hamilton.
Brian uses a wheelchair, and finds the shuttle helpful when attending medical appointments.
Prior to becoming a Caring Caller, Brian's career was in the education sector, initially as a mathematics teacher and then as a teacher's college and university lecturer training upcoming teachers.
Brian taught in Hamilton and Auckland before retiring in 1995.
His retirement is busy with volunteer activities, including his role as a Caring Caller.
Writing is another of Brian's achievements since his retirement.
His first book, Stretch, Bend and Boggle, is a collection of mathematical and logic puzzles to stimulate children's interest in mathematics.
Brian's writing ventures, Caring Caller friendships, and keeping up with the adventures of his children and grandchildren, ensure that life remains varied and interesting.
Anyone wanting to volunteer as a St John Caring Caller, or to receive a daily call from Caring Caller, can phone free (0800) ST JOHN (785 646).
Inquiries can also be made via St John's website, www.stjohn.org.nz