News & Events > Employers Newsletters - Successful Placement > April 2011
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April 2011
Gill’s Story
 Gill has had a busy year since joining Valley Transitionz in January 2010. She started her volunteer work at Take 5 in Lower Hutt working along side other volunteers in the Hospitality Team in the kitchen. In August 2010, Gill completed Unit 167 of Weltec’s Food & Safety Certificate and then in November 2010 she attended a four week course in Self Development organised by Valley Transitionz. In late December 2010, Gill started contract work as part of a team employed to clean the Kapiti Coast beaches. She enjoyed working and asked Valley Transitionz if there were any opportunities for more regular work. At around this time, Downer NZ needed someone to weed and water the plants in their conservatory collection and Gill was the ideal candidate. Asked to comment on the Valley Transitionz programme, Lloyd Tibble, the Contracts Manager at Downer NZ had this to say “The Valley Transitionz team are a great resource to have in assisting with those peak times, or routine work where an extra pair of hands gets the job done quicker.” “I have given projects to Valley Transitionz such as litter picking the Hutt City Railway Berms, weeding the Dune restoration area on the Petone foreshore and most recently, keeping the plants in our conservatory collection weed free and watered.” “I am able to assign a project to Valley Transitionz and know that it will be done in a professional manner.” “It is a pleasure to be able to offer these opportunities to the workers at Valley Transitionz, it is beneficial to Downer NZ and the workers”. “I look forward to a continuing relationship with Valley Transitionz”. Gill is enjoying working 6 hours a week surrounded by beautiful flowers and ferns and enjoys the tranquillity of the large conservatories. By Charmaine Seccombe
David's New Role
 As a follow on from my previous article, I finished at the Disability Information and Equipment Centre at the end of January 2010. DIEC have since moved to Wellington and filled my role with someone funded by the Community Max scheme. I continued to volunteer in the kitchen at Take 5 Activity Centre, however having worked in the community, I felt far more confident in my role. In November, I began a course at Weltec to complete the Certificate in Community Support Services and was fortunate enough to secure a volunteer position at Oasis Network in Lower Hutt as a Peer Support Worker. I also worked as a Community Link Worker at Take 5. The course at Weltec was practical as opposed to theoretical. I made lots of friends and the tutors made it easy for the students to express their own opinions. The study challenge wasn’t too odious as it was only one day a week for 16 weeks. Although I have completed the course, I am continuing my volunteer work at Oasis Network. I work three days a week and although the challenges are new, I really enjoy the work. I am out of my comfort zone and therefore the work is a growing experience. My immediate supervisor, Jane is very helpful when I ask her for advice. Working at Oasis Network gives me the opportunity to put into practice what I learned on my course. I don’t mind working as a volunteer because I am gaining valuable work experience. Written by David Stuart |