For students attending the Supported Learning course at Southern Institute of Technology's Gore campus, learning goes far beyond the classroom.
Designed for people with learning disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, the course helps students develop interpersonal, social and independent living skills while building confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging.
Running four days a week, the programme includes practical classes such as cooking and art, alongside a range of activities that support personal growth and everyday life skills.
One student who joined the course this year is Tori, a creative entrepreneur who runs her own business, Tori's Trinkets. Working from home, Tori creates handmade items using her laser cutter and sells them online and through a monthly stall at the Winton market. Since starting the course, Tori has enjoyed both the creative opportunities and the connections she has made with her classmates.
Tori's stepmother, Sandra, says the programme has filled an important gap for Tori since leaving school. "Once school finishes that's it." There are limited opportunities available for people with learning disabilities to continue learning and developing new skills. "Although she has a brain injury, Tori is capable of learning in the right environment and at the right pace; she has proven she can still learn so there's great value in this class."
Sandra is a passionate advocate for Tori’s continued education and has noticed significant growth in Tori since she started attending. "The smaller class is so valuable," she says, adding "Everybody here is Tori's friend." Sandra believes the friendships and social connections Tori has developed are just as important as the practical skills she is learning. “It increases Tori’s sense of purpose. Whenever she masters something new it really boosts her confidence and self-esteem, which in turn, makes my day.”
Classmate Charlotte says the social side of the programme is the highlight of her week. "I get to see all my favourite people,” she says. And she loves the variety of cooking class. “In cooking, we make different things that I wouldn't normally make at home."
Cooking classes are also a favourite for fellow student Dylan. "I do lots of work here," he says. And the skills he learns in class are put to good use at home. "I go home and I help cook tea and clean up." One of Dylan's go-to meals to make for his family is a mince dish served with broccoli salad.
Outside the classroom, Dylan is a keen swimmer who trains several times a week, including with the Southern training squad in Invercargill on Sundays. He also enjoys watching rugby and growing vegetables, which happens on campus, where there are raised garden beds and a tunnel house. The produce is then used in cooking classes, giving students the opportunity to learn the process from garden to plate.
Course Tutor, Rhonda Andrew, says students gain far more than practical skills during their time in the programme. “The course helps them build confidence, independence and strong social connections while learning skills they can use in everyday life.”