Sowing the SEED
SEED course members:
Back row, L-R: Ella Amyes, Rian Criglington, Jakobe Luscombe, Jakob Eder (Course Lead), Mayor Marie Black.
Front row, L-R: Karl Cave, Sesharna Murphy, Selah Hingston.
It’s all about the possibilities for six youth, thanks to a Hurunui initiative dedicated to their future.
This week marked the completion of the second SEED Course; designed to support young people aged 15+ as they transition from school into their next chapter, whether that be work or study.
It’s been a busy and energising 10 weeks for these Hurunui-based young people. As part of exploring ideas and making new connections, they’ve visited Mocketts Motors, Burnham Military Camp, Bain Road Wines, MacDonald Downs farm, the Doom Room (tattooing), Christchurch Airport Fire Station, Bloomfields Preschool, Canterbury Museum, and Ara Institute of Canterbury.
They also learned about budgeting, worked on communication skills, helped at a foodbank, did a rubbish collection at Leithfield Beach, tried their hands at MasterChef, achieved First Aid certificates and driver licenses, had driving lessons, wrote a CV and cover letter, participated in Toot for Tucker, and even managed a swim at Gore Bay.
SEED Course is funded by Snowgrass Charitable Trust.
At the Graduation held in Council Chambers this morning, Course Lead Jakob Eder acknowledged this course would not be possible without this support, as well as the helping hand from Hurunui District Council’s Community Partnership’s Team and Youth Team, and of course the participants.
“It feels like it’s flown by. I want to say how proud I am of each of you here… take this momentum and run with it wherever you go.”
Selah really liked the LSV course (Burnham Military Camp), “it was really fun and it gave me a really good idea of where I’m going.”
Ella enjoyed all the places we got to go to, particularly the preschool.”
And it sounded like Jakobe now has a career path in mind.
“I really enjoyed learning about mechanics.”
Mayor Marie Black has cherished watching the activities unfold and opportunities develop for these young people, as they learned all about essential skills like communication, organisation and self-management.
“It’s not rocket science, but these are fundamental life skills that will take you places if you continue to develop them and use them on a daily basis.”
Jakob and Mayor Black both acknowledged Snowgrass Charitable Trust for its foresight and vision.
“Your kindness and generosity are acknowledged and appreciated every day.”
