For Cavalli College learner James Skilton, studying the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Peer Support) (Level 4) has been more than an academic goal, it’s been a personal mission to help others through empathy, growth, and real-world experience.
James began the programme with clear intentions and a strong sense of purpose. “My expectations of the course were that it was going to be holistic and wide-ranging, as I did my research beforehand. It was important to pursue something I was passionate about – a programme I knew I would enjoy both the academic study and workplace placement – so I was pretty excited.”
Through the support of Cavalli College, James was placed with Hearts and Minds, a community organisation dedicated to mental wellbeing and social connection. The placement gave him valuable insight into the sector and an opportunity to make a tangible contribution.
“When I heard about Hearts and Minds, I was excited. They do things I hadn’t come across before, like art therapy and maintaining an extensive support services directory. That was really motivating for me. Every day on placement has been memorable and the focus on wellbeing inspires me to keep looking after my own health and continue those positive habits.”
Having lived experience with mental health, James says the opportunity to give back has been deeply meaningful. “You get a special type of empathy when you’ve hit rock bottom, and you’re down and you can’t get any lower. When you slowly build back up and you learn all those lessons along the way, it’s really good to be able to give back, and that’s what I am intending to do with my career, that’s why I chose this course.”
Jemma Hoyle, James’s supervisor, says he made a strong impression from day one. “One of our projects was to update our support services directory, it includes over 700 organisations that provide low-cost or free services. We needed help to bring it up to date, and that’s where James came in. When I first spoke to him, he was friendly, enthusiastic, and clearly keen to get started.”
From his first day, James’ confidence and professionalism stood out. “He came in, was friendly and approachable, and fit in straight away. What really impressed us was that he jumped on the phone immediately. Not everyone is comfortable doing that, especially in an open-plan office, but James handled it with ease. He’s been updating over 30 organisations a day, which is amazing.”
Jemma says James’ ability to take on feedback and work independently made him an asset to the team. “When you’re familiar with systems, it’s easy to forget small details when training someone new, but James picked things up so quickly. Whenever I gave him feedback, he applied it straight away. He was really thrown in the deep end, but he adapted beautifully and showed a real ability to learn. He’s done an incredible amount of work and it’s been amazing.”
She also praised the support provided by Cavalli College. “Communication with Cavalli College has been amazing. They are always responsive and easy to reach, and we couldn’t be happier with how the placement has gone.”
Reflecting on his studies, James says the support from Cavalli College has helped him feel confident and connected. “Cavalli College has been really supportive. I was initially worried about finding a placement, but the team helped me secure multiple options. I’ve had regular contact and always know I can reach out if I need help. I’d absolutely recommend Cavalli College as they take the time to get to know you personally, which makes such a difference.”
Looking ahead, James plans to continue his studies with Cavalli College and enrol in the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4) Mental Health and Addiction Support Strand programme, with long-term goals to pursue Clinical Psychology. His advice for future learners is simple but wise. “I would say go in with an open mind, it’s important that your mind is freed up for learning and that you don’t come in with already formed conclusions about things. It’s all about learning. Say yes to as much as you can, give it your best, and trust the process.”
He also encourages others to take that important first step toward support or study. “Having one chat can do the world of good. I was apprehensive at first, but that first contact really helped with certainty and how it wasn’t actually that scary. Once you take that first step, the rest just follows.” He also notes that “when you are coming out with mental health challenges into study or placement, it’s really important to take care of yourself and to remember that self-care doesn’t stop.”
James’ journey is a powerful reminder that growth often begins with courage and that lived experience, when paired with learning and empathy, can transform lives. Through his studies and placement, he’s not only building his own future but helping others find hope and healing along the way.
Learn more about the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Peer Support) (Level 4) and how you can use your lived experience to empower others on their recovery journey.