As tutors and teachers, we know there are many reasons why adult learners start their journey. For some it can be pursuit of career opportunities, for others it might be about filling time and learning new skills, and for others the start of a learning journey can evolve for a host of other reasons. The Christchurch City Mission Learning Hub combines members of their Men’s and Women’s’ Day programme with up to ten people attending courses each day. Harriet English is the Client Education Team Leader at the Mission and has worked there for just over a year.
“At the Mission we offer a range of learning opportunities and there are no strings attached. People can drop in as they feel able to learn new skills – everyone is welcome. However, we do know that success comes with continuity. Our learners have so many talents but often they have forgotten how to nurture themselves before nurturing others. This is one of the lessons that we take time to share.”
Courses range from creative writing to cooking, budgeting, literacy, and singing, with the choir currently practising for a Christmas performance in the Christchurch Cathedral.
“Just as there is a huge range of reasons why people choose to learn, there’s also a huge range of reasons why people come to the Mission for support; we don’t ask questions and our doors are open to those who want to be here,” Harriet says.
Learner Keri says she was a good learner at school and passed school qualifications, but she became pregnant in her final year at high school, and as a mother she dedicated her life to her family, leaving little room for her own fulfilment. This was followed three years ago by a period of enormous grief for Keri when she lost her partner and eldest child. A period of addiction followed. She first approached the City Mission for food parcels and subsequently received budgeting support. From there, Keri started engaging in the learning programme and her journey has continued.
“The team at the Mission saw me at my lowest point and all they asked of me was to turn up and try and continue with my learning. For me, this isn’t just about learning new skills, it’s also about the people I’m with when I’m here. We have formed strong friendships and bonds. Our achievements are based on how far each of us wants to walk, not on what is right or wrong. We are all equal during our course learning.”
Through the learning programme Keri has learnt leadership skills and is now running the cooking course, with other learners praising her patience and skills.
She is currently completing computer literacy courses and says she is relearning a lot of the work she did in the sixth form at school.
“This time I am going to use the skills I’m learning to do the things that I want to do. Learning is giving me a sense of peace, purpose and empowerment and I’m doing this for myself.”
Greg also visited the City Mission for a food parcel and was directed to the Men’s Day Programme. Like Keri, he had experienced huge grief in his life that had cut short a successful career in radio.
“I have been on the learning programme for five years now and have become an avid learner. I am passionate about music and choir and have focused on voice training. Through classes I have learnt breathing techniques, voice projection and posture and will be singing in the Christchurch Cathedral during the Christmas concert.”
Christina is a prolific and committed learner who missed several years of school learning for a range of reasons. She has more than made up for those gaps and is now focussing on proficiency in her English language skills so she can undertake formal studies through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
“I am on the Wānanga waiting list to undertake a tikanga course and my 10-year goal is to complete Health and Wellbeing studies so I can share my learning with others. In the meantime, I’m busy soaking up all the learning that I can.”
Finally, Mike and Rangi both shared their sense of community, fulfilment and achievement that’s come with learning and gaining qualifications. Mike has just achieved his restricted driver’s licence and completed a level 2 Open Polytechnic computer course. He says if it wasn’t for Harriet and the Mission he would have given up a long time ago.
Keri provided a lovely finale to the learning journey of her community saying it has helped with “unsticking” her life.
The Christchurch City Mission programme is a great example of the integration and support facilitated across the ACE community. More recently, Risingholme has provided te reo Māori classes for Mission students, and other groups like the library and Christchurch Symphony Orchestra have made regular commitments to work with learners and provide new horizons.