Your 2025 Westfield Albany Local Hero is:

Gladys Youssef

Harbour Hospice Trust

Empathetic. Thoughtful. Advocate.

In her volunteer role with Harbour Hospice, Gladys brings compassion, dignity and comfort to patients receiving palliative care.  It can be common for patients she looks after to feel isolated, overwhelmed, fearful or anxious, but Gladys builds special bonds that can make a difference to their day. 

“My motivation comes from personal experience caring for my elderly mother and parents-in-law,” says Gladys. “Supporting them through their later years taught me the importance of compassion, dignity, and connection. It inspired me to help others facing similar challenges.” 

With the growing aged population, Gladys’ volunteering benefits hundreds of people in and around Albany, including patients, families, and those with special needs.  Gladys has been trained as a hospice ‘navigator’, which means she can ‘connect, advocate, resource and engage’ with patients to help them achieve a better quality of life.  

She puts this into practice every time, for example, assisting patients to navigate the healthcare system, attending medical appointments, bringing flowers, or just being a listening ear. 
“Knowing I can ease someone’s pain, reduce their isolation, and bring hope during difficult times drives me every day,” says Gladys.  
She adds, “It’s deeply fulfilling to make a difference in people’s lives when they need it most and honour my mother’s values.” 

The $20,000 grant will be used for volunteer training, and to upgrade the supply of syringe drivers – pain pumps that provide crucial pain relief day and night. 

---

We’d like to thank and acknowledge our finalists who will receive a $5K grant for the organisation they represent...

Megan Mashali from Te Kiwi Māia

Megan co-founded Te Kiwi Māia to support the mental and physical wellbeing of New Zealand’s first responders and defence personnel, who are suffering as a result of their service. The charity provides respite and rehabilitation through its Wellness Week programmes, which offers psychological support, trauma-informed yoga, nutrition and sleep education, and traditional Māori healing.

Zane Seddon from Level Playing Field
Sport changed Zane’s life and ultimately inspired him to help young people through his charity, Level Playing Field. He helps rangatahi, who may not have opportunities to engage in sport to begin their athletic journey. As well as having the chance to take part in their chosen activity, those supported by Zane also build their resilience, teamwork skills, and confidence.

---

If you need support, please phone Lifeline Aotearoa: 0800 543 354

Recognising all our 2025 nominees

View all of the Westfield Albany nominees and their organisations.