Rose Welsh

Rose is currently in her sixth year with the I Have a Dream Charitable Trust (IHAD) working as a Navigator with the Year 8 cohort. Before working with IHAD she was a primary school teacher. She was drawn to the kaupapa of the IHAD organisation and essentially was always striving to achieve their aspirations in the classroom. Those being to empower and inspire young people through impactful learning opportunities and a high level of pastoral care. Rose's role began with a cohort of Year 3's across four schools and she has continued to follow them all the way through to Year 8's, now working across two schools. The Circle of Mana model underpins her programme planning, and interactions with students alongside Te Whare Tapa Wha.

In her words, "I see the role as a privileged position, helping shape and develop tamariki and rangatahi in my immediate community. Networks and connections within our community continue to strengthen and develop as the organisation works to evolve and change to fit the needs of the community and the dreamers (students) we work with. As a Navigator I run a range of programmes after school and support students in the classroom. Dedicated donors and funders allow us to connect with and access amazing opportunities for our dreamers. These opportunities enable us to identify and develop strengths and interests in our young people and uncover pathways for future success. As well as being a rewarding role, the challenges facing our rangatahi and communities can be overwhelming." Rose enjoys networking with like-minded people in the community and further afield, which acts as an energiser for the role. Helping set a group of her dreamers up with community mentors has also continued to inspire her in her mahi.