Hayden

Employment Training

‘I wanted a better life for my family,’ says 20-year-old Employment Plus graduate Hayden Bain.

Six months ago, I was expecting my first child and had adopted my partner’s two-year-old daughter. My life had been going down the wrong track for a while and the prospect of responsibility saw me want a better life for my family. I’d been trying for over a year to secure full-time employment. My work history wasn’t great, and I had debts and responsibilities that were becoming more and more difficult to sort out.

I was grateful to find work at The Salvation Army’s Maunu Gardens in Whangarei, where I joined a great team. It was the first time The Salvation Army Employment Plus had put this programme together. I wanted to work, not just do another course. We started with a blank paddock and turned it into something amazing that we’re all proud of.

I was encouraged to learn new skills—we were able to gain certificates in wheels, tracks and rollers. I also achieved my full licence and forklift licence. I gained leadership skills when I was given opportunities to lead the crew. I discovered I was valuable and that others respected me.

The crops were grown to support The Salvation Army food bank and its community meal. A few of us went to the meals and it was awesome to see our veggies being enjoyed! We met people from other parts of The Salvation Army and made friends with some of them.

My partner Trish gave birth to a handsome baby boy and together with family support and encouragement, our life is looking brighter. My self-confidence and self-worth has grown a lot. I made poor choices in my past, but today I do not have to live in the shadow of them.

The garden job was for six months, and I’ve since moved into full-time employment with the possibility of management training in the future—and I am ready for the challenge.

I want to thank those who believed in me when I could not. I want to encourage The Salvation Army to carry on with this programme and to continue to develop real work opportunities for people just like me. This has been a great chapter in my life.