Youthline ‘Personal Development’ programmes

Youthline ‘Personal Development’ programmes start soon

Youthline Auckland is about to start running a number of programmes in Ponsonby, Waitakere, Manukau and the North Shore.  These include the ‘Personal Development’ and ‘Fast Track’ programmes, which provide the foundation required to become a counselor on the Youthline phone service. These courses also serve to help people improve their communication and relationship building skills and can be attended to learn more about working in a team, conflict resolution, building self-esteem, goal setting and trust.

Youthline’s very own Manukau co-ordinator and youth worker Renee Huia, explains how attending these courses impacted her life. Renee was just 18 when she attended a Personal Development course in Manukau. She says, “ I was uncomfortable at first, because I didn’t have the same life experience as everyone else, but everyone was so supportive.” When asked about her experience Renee says that “it impacted on how I listen and respond to other people and was such an amazing experience that I moved on to the ‘Basic Counselling’ course.” Renee went on to volunteer for Youthline’s phone counselling service for two years which served to “open my eyes to the needs of younger and older people who are isolated in the community.”

Through volunteering and attending other courses at Youthline, Renee received a job offer in 2005. “When I first started working at Youthline I was surprised to see people who I had met ten years ago on the Personal Development programme, working for the organisation and co-ordinating programmes”, she said. Renee has since been involved in co-ordinating youth focused programmes like VOICE in the Manukau community and says “VOICE  is an amazing opportunity for young people to explore who they are in their community and helps to connect them to the wider Youthline family. I have seen young people transform and gain self-confidence and motivation, and it is rewarding to see them go on and pursue youth work”

As shown by Renee’s experience, attending a Youthline programme will open up a number of rewarding oppurtunities. The programmes are beginning soon with the following dates listed below.

Personal Development

·         Ponsonby – Monday, 10am – 12.30pm,  starts 16 Feb, ends  6 Apr

·         Ponsonby, Waitakere & North Shore – Tuesday 7pm – 9.30pm, starts 17 Feb, ends 7 Apr

·         Ponsonby – Wednesday 7pm – 9.30pm, starts 25 Feb, ends 15 Apr

·         Manukau – Monday, 7pm to 9.30pm, starts 16 Feb, ends 6 Apr

Fast Track

·         Ponsonby only – Saturday, 10am – 4pm, starts 2 May, ends 4 July

ends

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