How we work

Valley Transitionz has been working in the Hutt Valley since April 2002 helping individuals who have had the experience of mental illness back into employment.  This is done within a supportive framework, using a gradual stepping stone approach. It enables individuals to achieve their employment goals at their own pace.

• This process is broken down into four stages - Volunteering
•                                                                      - Contract/Temporary Job
  

•                                                                      - Valley Transition Placement
•                                                                      - Individuals Permanent Job
  

Volunteering

Individuals start volunteering either in one of the two mental health activity centres or in the Valley Transitionz office. There is also the option of volunteering in the community. The activity centres are MASH (Upper Hutt) and Take 5 (Lower Hutt)  These volunteer positions are typically one day per week and job descriptions contain expectations and tasks to be undertaken at that particular organisation. The voluntary work in the Valley Transitionz office includes participating in the community, organising mail outs and computer work.

• Contract Work (Temporary Work)
• This is casual on call work where the employer negotiates with Valley Transitionz to complete specified on call work. Valley Transitionz supplies individuals from the Valley Transitionz programme to complete the work. Valley Transitionz will provide on site support in the form of a job coach if needed. Individuals are employed by Valley Transitionz to complete the job and the employer is invoiced on a monthly basis.

Valley Transitionz Placement

The Valley Transitionz placement is paid work in the open job market and is for a period of between 6 and 9 months. Valley Transitionz finds these part time entry level jobs in the open market and negotiates terms with each employer. The employer agrees for Valley Transitionz to "own" the position and Valley Transitionz agrees to keep the position staffed on an ongoing basis. Every 6 to 9 months, a new individual moves into that particular job.

The purpose of these placements is to:

• - Create a current work history for the individual
• - Provide the opportunity for the individual to "try themselves out" in an integrated work environment.
• - Enable the individual to experience success in an open work place
• - Offer work in a setting where there is effective support and back up for both the employer and the employee. Support is available for the employer from the Valley Transitionz Coordinator.

Individual's Permanent Job

Valley Transitionz can assist individuals to move into their own permanent job in the open job market. This step of achieving a permanent position will be more achievable for the individual as they have gained skills and experience whilst working on the voluntary aspect of the programme and also whilst on the Valley Transitionz placement.