Site visit for Building Regula...
Our NZ Certificate in Building Regulatory Environment (BRE) in-class stream of students had the opportunity to see their learning...
Solo mum Melissa Graham failed to believe she could master a Level 4 programme as a new learner. “Studying was not an easy task because I had been told my whole life that I wasn’t good enough,” says the mother of six. “After getting to know my classmates and realising I had a lot to give, it made me feel I was good enough to want this.”
The 39-year-old conquered her self-doubt and graduated in November from the NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4) with a strand in Mental Health and Addiction Support. “I have so much gratitude to my classmates and especially my tutor Chintal who always believed in me.” Melissa has formed lifelong friendships with some of her peers, who come from all walks of life.
Four months ago, she landed a fulfilling role which sees her helping people rebuild their lives- like she did. Melissa adores serving as a Wellbeing Facilitator (Lived Experience Practitioner) at the Walsh Trust, which offers mental health support, wellbeing and residential support services in West Auckland. “It’s exactly what I want to be doing,” she says. “I feel like this is the start of something great.” The first family member to have gained a Level 4 qualification, Melissa hopes the achievement inspires her children to follow their dreams. “Although it may be nothing to some people, this is a huge accomplishment for me. This is about breaking cycles and helping to clear the path for my tamariki mokopuna.”
Childhood proved to be tough for the Māori citizen who was born and raised in Dargaville. “Being the eldest of nine, I was always getting the short end of the stick,” she says. “I experienced trauma as a young kid and never really dealt with it. This led to acting out, and violence was a part of that outlet.” A runaway, Melissa ended up homeless and disowned by her family. She dropped out of school at 14 and became pregnant with her first child two years later. By the time she was 22, she was slowly destroying her life with a combination of alcohol and not caring about anything, she says. “I because lost and out of control.” Her two children, aged four and six, were placed in a family member's care. Melissa found herself in court facing different charges. “After an incident that led me to take things too far and try to end it all, I went into respite care.”
In 2006, Melissa started rehabilitation at Odyssey House, which provides alcohol and drug support services. After graduating the Odyssey House Family centre programme, she secured a casual job at a printing company, gradually working her way up to dispatch manager.
She yearned to help others grappling with the same struggles she had survived. In 2020, Melissa made the decision to follow her dream and turned to Future Skills Academy. During her practicum, she returned to Odyssey House Family centre in a very different capacity. “Going back to the family centre after 15 years was very emotional for me but here I was giving back to the place I owe my life to.”
Future Skills Academy has helped her to get where she is today, she says. “One thing I learned at the academy is that it’s ok to be yourself. We don’t have to change … because who we are and where we come from is going to connect us with others who need our support.”
