SPECIAL REPORT: A life-changing experience on the Limited Service Volunteer (LSV ) course - perspectives from a trainee and the Police mentor.
It starts with a green water bottle and a camouflage cap.
These are handed to young people when they arrive at the Youth Development Unit Central in Upper Hutt – symbols of the coming six weeks of outdoor pursuit, education and teamwork on the LSV programme.
For Memphis-Aio Tawhai-Green, 22, the bottle and cap meant resetting a life gone awry. Memphis, from Porirua, had struggled with addiction, withdrawn from her nursing studies and was on a benefit.
In just six weeks at LSV late last year, she gained her full driver’s licence and was chosen for three prestigious course awards - for Outstanding Effort, Most Effective Team Leader and He Tohu Aroha Police Award.
Memphis now plans to work in her community to help others, equipped with new skills. She is being considered for several employment positions, including with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).
LSV is voluntary and thousands of participants have completed the training since it began in 1993.
Trainees aged 18-24 arrive from across New Zealand, referred by MSD to prepare them for employment. The course is hosted by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) at the unit within its Trentham base, in partnership with MSD and Police. A live-in Police mentor is on-hand.
Cellphones are handed in on arrival and trainees communicate with families through traditional letter writing. MSD staff are on-site during the live-in camp, to support and connect trainees with job opportunities.
It starts with a water bottle...
At the final LSV camp for 2024, Memphis was one of 12 trainees from the Wellington region among 50 who completed the course.
This meant rising at 5.30am, trekking through challenging terrain, eating healthy meals and gaining certificates including first aid.
“LSV was the stepping stone I’d been waiting for,” she says. “I thought someone had to come and save me - but it was me who had to save me.
“I put my hand on my heart and stepped into the LSV van outside the Work and Income office in Porirua.”
She walked into the unknown at Trentham and into a focused environment, with routine and structure.
“Over the first week at Trentham, I thought ‘stuff this’ a few times, because I don’t like being told what to do. By the second week, I was used to it and stuck it out.”
She learned to prepare for each day, to push herself mentally and physically, facing each sunset with a sense of achievement.
“I want to be a better person for my siblings and my community. LSV places opportunities right in front of your face – and when there’s nowhere else to go, you just grasp them.”
Memphis is determined to continue her LSV experience and learning – she has been offered mentoring from current LSV Trentham patron, MSD Wellington Regional Commissioner Gagau Annandale-Stone.
“I want to be a role model for my younger siblings and show them there are other options,” she says. “I’m ready to let my old lifestyle go – I used to cry talking about it, but LSV has made me stronger and I’m healing.
“It was the best decision of my life to get into that van.”
Memphis (second from left) with fellow graduates (from left): Te Wanea Quinn, 18, from Wainuiomata; Cazna Campbell, 18, from Upper Hutt; and Anitonia Okore, 19, from Porirua.
The Police mentor on the course was Gareth Davies, from the Royal New Zealand Police College. Here he writes of the experience:
As a second time LSV mentor, I knew what to expect physically - however nothing prepares you for some of the heartbreaking back-stories of these rangatahi who have the courage to volunteer and put themselves through this experience.
This is definitely my 'why' for volunteering to live in NZDF barracks for six weeks away from my family - to get to know them, their reasons for wanting to change, how we as Police staff can assist them as individuals and community members. And, of course, offer experiences and words of encouragement to overcome barriers they face.
Teamwork is instilled in them from day one, including working with many individuals who have their own issues and that they may not get on with, or may indeed be 'enemies' of outside.
The trainees see staff leading by example and begin to see and feel the benefits quickly, some becoming significantly fitter and healthier (including me!). One trainee remarked how he was motivated by seeing the mentor getting the runaround from the PTI alongside everyone else.
At the graduation ceremony, I was privileged to present the Police mentor's He Tohu Aroha Award.
This is for a trainee who provided support and took a genuine interest in helping other trainees; was respectful; showed commitment to self-improvement; treated everybody equally; and volunteered above expectation.
Memphis stood out head-and-shoulders in all these aspects and it was her journey and the adversities she had overcome to get to this point that confirmed the award for me.
'Memphis stood out head-and-shoulders...' Gareth presents the Police mentor's He Tohu Aroha Award.
FIND OUT MORE
• MSD is now taking applications for the next intake of LSV trainees in 2025 for programmes at NZDF bases in Christchurch, Auckland and Trentham.
• You can find out more about LSV on the Work and Income website.