Thanks for the awesome postings here. Dutch - the comment you make about caring for the caregivers is so true and is a great reminder. Jackie - wonderful that your fantastic new facility in Methven was used as a haven for earthquake victims. I realise this has come at a financial cost to your organisation, but I am sure you will get it back through community support, goodwill and appreciation many times over. We can't wait to be at the Heritage Centre for our National Community Awards next year! Pip, TCC team

Methven Heritage Centre and Methven i-SITE acted as the first point of call in Methven for earthquake victims who started arriving out of Christchurch on the evening of the 22nd Feb. We set up a Welfare Centre the next day which ran for two weeks, feeding hundreds of people and helping with housing, clothing, and victim support. Food and offers of help from our locals flooded in during this time. Things have now settled down in Methven, but the population has swelled with people who have settled into the town as a semi-permanent residence. As a Charitable organisation, this response has cost us a couple of thousand dollars in direct expenses and wages, several thousand more dollars in lost revenue, and probably 3 weeks of productive work time. On the positive side, it was great to see how our new Heritage Centre building functioned brilliantly as a crisis centre, and how the community got behind the effort and assisted our staff. We feel very proud to be a part of such a generous and supportive community.

I helped launch and head a charitable trust voluntary organisation in South Africa that provided 24/7 prompt response with care and support to people traumatised by crime and abuse. I saw the need to care for the caregivers especially after they had spent time helping victims to recovery. This also helped to hone our services and ensure volunteers had what was needed to be effective. Where and how this happens will vary depending on the situation. A debriefing (or an opportunity to talk about it privately and confidentially to someone trustworthy) helped caregivers rest & recuperate. For new volunteers a buddy system is important and some volunteers can cope in some situations but less so in others. Volunteers should always have the choice of saying I would prefer another role. Training and preparation is valuable and improves the care of those in need. So strategic thinking and defining the scope and limits to what is required of volunteers helps keep the focus and avoids volunteers being hurt or discouraged. One of the volunteers from the above now lives in Christchurch. Like many she hid under her desk to survive and now is involved in the emergency recovery operations. Well done to you and to all the volunteers. It is because of you people survive and recover. Just remember to also care for care givers.

Kylie - I can imagine that's a huge problem for lots of events. You might need to get in touch with your supplier and see what assurances they can give you. Does anyone have a good idea for a Plan B? Pip, TCC team

I am involved in running an event and unsure if the portaloos we had booked will be back from CHCH in time.