Nathan

Attending the Burke and Beyond Ringwood site has opened the door to many opportunities for me. Over the years, I’ve taken part in a wide range of skill‑development programs, and each one has helped me grow in different ways. I’ve made great friends, and I really enjoy spending time with them.

The staff have always been very supportive and have helped me get the most out of every experience.

I completed a Box Hill TAFE Accredited Course: Certificate I in Work Education with support from staff. I explored different career pathways and developed important work‑ready skills.

I also enrolled in two pre‑accredited courses at Box Hill TAFE: Healthy Me and Performing Arts. The BHI teachers led the classes, while Burke and Beyond staff provided the support I needed to participate confidently.

I continued to build on my skills through the Kew Neighbourhood Learning Centre where I enrolled for the following pre-accredited courses:

• Sport and Recreation and
• Retail Styling

These courses have helped me continue building my work‑related abilities while also supporting my goal of staying fit, healthy and active.

 

During the Tennis program I engaged in a variety of games and drills which further developed my skills and helped keep me fit.

 

Volunteering has been another big part of my journey at Burke and Beyond. My roles at The Local Umbrella Café, Pinchapoo and Salvo’s have helped me become more confident in workplace environments.

At The Local Umbrella Café, I helped keep the environment clean, welcomed customers, restocked the shelves and practised using the cash register.

At Salvo’s, I quality‑checked DVDs, arranged them on shelves, sorted clothing, and prepared items for sale.

At Pinchapoo, I packed toiletries into bags, added labels, boxed the packs, and prepared them for distribution.

These experiences helped me understand what it’s like to be part of a team and contribute to the community.

I’m proud of the independence I’ve gained. My journey with Burke and Beyond continues to help me grow, learn, and build the confidence I need for the future.

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