For Kelly, recovery has never been just about overcoming challenges. It has been about growth, learning, and discovering how her lived experience can help others find hope in their own journeys.
Today, nearly four years sober, the Auckland mum, recovery advocate, Cavalli College Peer Support graduate and current Cavalli College Mental Health and Addiction Support learner, is using both her personal experience and professional skills to make a difference in the lives of others.
Before enrolling at Cavalli College, Kelly was already making positive changes in her life. Having graduated from the Auckland Drug Court programme, she was working part-time at a private alcohol and drug rehabilitation service, while balancing family life and her own recovery journey.
Although she was already supporting others, Kelly wanted to strengthen her knowledge and skills, gain a recognised qualification, and create new opportunities for her future.
“I wanted to improve my knowledge and skills so I could better support the people I was already working alongside,” she says. “I also wanted to learn more about recovery to strengthen my own recovery journey.”
Choosing to study was a significant step.
Kelly was encouraged by others in recovery who were already studying with Cavalli College and found that the programme’s flexible online delivery made it possible to balance study with work and family commitments.
While returning to learning was daunting at first, it soon became a source of pride and confidence.
“My favourite part has been proving to myself that I could do it.”
“The feeling of completing something and proving to myself that I could do it has been amazing,” Kelly says. “I enjoyed gaining knowledge, and studying has helped me in my own recovery. It’s helped me stay clean.”
One of the most powerful lessons Kelly gained through the programme was the strengths-based approach to supporting others.
“Focus on what is strong, rather than what is wrong.”
“This was powerful for me because when I look back, I believe this was the kind of approach that helped me get clean,” Kelly explains.
The programme also helped her understand the value of lived experience in peer support work.
“I’ve learned that sharing my lived experience can give hope to the people I walk alongside. It shows them that if I could make changes in my life, they can too.”
Throughout the programme, Kelly developed practical skills she now uses in both her professional and personal life, strengthening her communication, empathy, confidence and ability to support people in a non-judgemental and person-centred way.
“It has helped me build stronger trust and working relationships with the people I support,” she says.
The learning has also had a positive impact at home.
“It has helped me maintain healthier boundaries with the people I support and with my children. It has helped me become a more patient and supportive mum.”
For Kelly, studying Peer Support reinforced that recovery is an ongoing journey of growth and learning.
“The course has helped me continue growing into the best version of myself.”
It also deepened her understanding that every person’s recovery journey is unique.
“I’ve learned that there is no single approach that works for everybody,” she says. “It has taught me to listen without judgement, focus on a person’s strengths, and walk alongside them instead of telling them what to do.”
Kelly credits both her fellow learners and Cavalli College lecturer Tipene for helping her succeed.
“I feel very lucky because I had good friends studying alongside me who encouraged and supported me,” she says.
“My lecturer, Tipene, was also a huge support, especially at the beginning when I relied on him a lot while I was learning how everything worked. Having that encouragement and knowing I could ask for help made a big difference.”
As her confidence grew, Kelly became increasingly independent in her studies and developed skills she never imagined she would have.
Now a graduate, Kelly plans to continue building her career in the addiction and recovery sector, using both her qualification and lived experience to support others.
“I want to use my qualification and lived experience to give hope to others and show them that recovery is possible.”
For anyone considering studying Peer Support, Kelly has a message of encouragement.
“Give it a go. You have nothing to lose and so much learning and growth to gain.”
Before starting her studies, Kelly says she had very little schooling experience, was dyslexic, and barely knew how to use a computer.
“There were times when I doubted whether I could do it,” she says.
“But now I’m a graduate. If I can do it, you can too.”
Kelly’s story is a powerful reminder that education can transform more than a career. Through determination, support and a commitment to learning, she has built confidence, strengthened her own recovery and turned her lived experience into a way of giving hope to others
Ready to take that first step?
