An update from Denis
New Year, New Beginnings: Denis Steps Into Peer Support
Since sharing his story in our recent Christmas ‘On a Mission’ newsletter, Denis has been living in his new home for almost six months. He continues to thrive as a loving partner and father. Now, he has some more exciting news…
“Christmas last year was really good, and it was filled with a lot of new feelings for me. My partner’s mum and daughter came over from Australia, and it was a blessing to finally meet them in person. Getting to watch our daughters get on together brought tears to our eyes, and we really enjoyed New Years at my new house together as family. We were all so happy.
“Around that time, when a Peer Support role came up at Whakamaru, Alisha, my kaiarahi from Te Pā Pori, encouraged me to apply. Straight away I thought, “No way, they don’t want to employ me, no one does!” But she reassured me about all the mahi I’ve put in and how far I’ve come. I’d never written a Cover Letter or CV before, so she helped me put it all together, and I went into the interview. I was really nervous, but what helped was knowing that I was facing the sorts of emotions I would have just run away from in the past.
“The interview with Paula went really good, and she said she would get back to me. That’s when the doubt came back in. I just thought that was a nice way to say I didn’t get it. But then she called and offered me a job! This new role as a Peer Support Worker arose in front of me. I grabbed it with both hands, and started a couple of months ago. I work four days a week 8am–4:30pm. Every day that I wake up to come to work, it doesn’t feel like I’m working. I just love it, and I know I’m in the right place even though it’s all new to me.
“I mostly interact with manuhiri in the community café, by mingling with everyone and just trying to bring a positive energy. And if someone is in crisis and needs someone to talk to, that’s me. I pretty much just listen and figure out what they need. Sometimes that’s just a person to talk to, other times they might need more Mission support services so I’m that bridge.
“Most people who come here feel alone, and they just want someone who will listen. Having lived experience is huge in this work because if someone is a bit standoffish, when they find out about my history, it makes them feel more comfortable to open up.
“I say you have to have a really good heart to be part of the Mission. That’s what I’ve felt when I was on the receiving end, and now as staff. It took me a while to register how this place is just real and genuine, but the way the Mission, its staff, volunteers, and donors give without expecting anything in return just shows people that they are valued. So when you come in here you feel nothing but love, and that’s so important for people with broken backgrounds.
“I always remind people this is the safest space they can ever come. They can get a feed, have someone to talk to and just relax. They know just their basic needs are always here for them and that’s huge. There are a lot of people who rely on this place, and I don’t even want to think about where they’d be without it. What’s made this all more beautiful for me is that as much as I’m helping the manuhiri, they’ve been helping me too. This work has been healing me in this next part of my recovery journey and filling my heart.
“This has been the best start to a year I’ve ever had. My partner and I do a lot of reflecting on how far we’ve come, and my daughter is really happy. My lifestyle is a whole new mindset, I’m going to keep learning and upskilling, and eventually I want to do youth work.
“I really think the Mission and the way it works is the future, and I’m blessed to be part of it!”
