Armed with her favourite lipstick and oodles of enthusiasm, Anne Pike heads off to lead an exercise class. Later that day, lippy reapplied, she is off to another class and sit on a Q&A panel. The rest of the week is an assortment of facilitating courses, giving presentations and leading exercise classes across Christchurch.

You could be forgiven for thinking this is a corporate superstar’s normal working week. But this is everyday life for 72-years-young Anne, a volunteer for Canterbury Clinical Network’s Better Breathing Programme.

Accustomed to living with chronic asthma, around five years ago Anne was offered a chance to join a pulmonary rehabilitation course.

“I’ve had asthma all my life but the more classes, walking and general movement I did, the better I felt. Sometimes you’re not feeling so great but you get up, put on your lipstick and get going and it makes you feel better.”

After the course, there was no looking back. So when Anne was asked to provide a consumer perspective to the Better Breathing Programme, she jumped at the chance.

“I’m there to share my story, help them with their exercises and make the tea! I answer questions and if they need some clinical advice I point them in the right direction.”

Once the eight-week course is complete, attendees are given reading and encouraged to keep moving by joining a Better Breathing exercise class.

“If we get someone who is not well, or is a bit down, I put some extra time into them. Chronic respiratory diseases can be very isolating, but with these courses and classes you can get out of the house, into some exercise and you’ll make lifelong friends.

“People who come along learn that they are not the only ones in this situation. They network with people with all types of respiratory disease – from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and emphysema, to bronchitis and asthma.”

Anne’s volunteer role has many elements. As well as attending conferences for practice nurses, working with GP teams to encourage referrals to the course and providing a consumer perspective for the course, Anne has been trained to deliver community exercise sessions designed for those living with chronic respiratory conditions.

“I’m often busy, out here and there to deliver this class and that presentation. It gives me great pleasure to know I am giving something back, and making a difference to people’s lives.”

Our health system is supported by hundreds of dedicated and skilled volunteers, so National Volunteer Week is the perfect chance to recognise their contribution.