I was privileged to join Coeliac NZ through my placement as an intern from the Auckland University, Health Science final year work experience placement in 2019 and have since continued as a volunteer. During lock-down I reflected on what motivated me to dedicate my time and skills to Coeliac NZ and share with you the important Kaupapa learnings I have gained from this experience.

Social Interaction

Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

– World Health Organisation (WHO)

According to the WHO, social well-being is a fundamental component of overall health. Technology is rapidly facilitating the replacement of vis-à-vis interactions. During the lockdown, I discovered that zoom squares would never offer the same experience as face-to-face conversations. I learned that I needed to be more appreciative of my interactions with family, friends, and other members of the community. I believe a core factor that enables CNZ to continually flourish is their understanding of the importance of social connections. This can be illustrated with the different CNZ social groups across the nation which work together to foster a strong network between members.

Working Together

Another kaupapa learning I reflected on was the significance of working together. By itself, the health system alone is unable to effectively mitigate the adverse effects of COVID-19 on the population. It required support from multiple sectors such as the political system (introducing wage subsidies) and law enforcement (restricting unnecessary travel). Similarly, CNZ collaborates alongside organisations from different industries to provide the best experience and value for its’ members. New Zealand applied this kaupapa very well during the lockdown. Messages of working together to help vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and those with coeliac disease, were consistently reinforced during the lockdown. I strongly believe that ‘working together’ is one of the key principles which allowed society to continue functioning whilst ensuring the protection of population health.

In conclusion, I am very grateful for the opportunity that Coeliac NZ has provided for me to share my time and skills to assist them to achieve their vision for people with coeliac disease to live healthy lives every day. Along with experiencing the inclusive culture of the organisation, my time volunteering has allowed me to learn and develop a broad range of skills. During the lockdown, I reflected on kaupapa learnings such as the value of social interaction and the importance of working together. I hope to continue contributing to the amazing work of CNZ to make a meaningful difference for people living with coeliac disease, their whanau and the wider community.

By: Christopher Wong