Weaving Social Cohesion

Skills – Harakeke weaving

Our Impact

The Award gives young people access to high-quality, non-formal education and learning experiences that weave Social Cohesion through Aotearoa’s communities; connecting society, in meaningful ways, at a time when we need it most.

Social impact research

58,170

volunteer hours annually

That's the equivalent of...

646

Rugby Games

Or

1939

Trips to the moon

On Participants

Through this challenging journey of self-discovery, our participants:

  • are equipped and empowered to achieve their personal best
  • learn to take responsibility for their goals and choices
  • learn to assess risk
  • become connected to and actively engaged within their immediate community
  • make a real difference to society through their positive contributions and involvement
  • learn to persevere and overcome barriers to success
  • learn important life skills
  • increase their career opportunities
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Gold Awardee, Hamish Gilbert

"Often with a disability, it is assumed that you can't do things. For example, having to battle to be included, with people assuming I can't do things instead of looking at ways to help me succeed. I just wanted to have the same opportunities to achieve like everyone else. In achieving Gold, I showed myself and others what can be done if you are given an opportunity and work hard."

– Hamish Gilbert, Hawkes Bay

On Communities

In 2021/2022, $29.5M of social value was generated for Aotearoa’s communities.

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Voluntary Service – Lauren Scullin and Shirley Macdonald

Shirley Macdonald is blind and when COVID-19 put the country into lockdown, she started to feel the weight of her impaired sight. Stuck in her retirement village room, with no one visiting and unable to get outside of it, Shirley started to feel blue. But there was a light and it came in the form of Lauren Scullin.

Reading to Shirley has been an amazing part of my life," Lauren said. For two and half years, 17 year old Lauren has been reading to Shirley every Saturday. According to Shirley said, it was one of her, “brighter times during lockdown.”

On Award Leaders

Our Award Leaders help participants to access the life-changing experience of the Award – and have their own adventure along the way! Award Leaders experience many positive impacts of being involved with the Award community. 

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"As the NBHS Award Leader, over the past 5 years, I've seen my sons; their friends and many others complete their Awards – including those who have completed Gold. I really believe that it's an International Award that provides and enables all students to fly outside of the classroom.

Those who complete their Awards gain a point of difference when it comes to leaving school, and when seeking opportunities in the future. They have the opportunity to give back to the community, the opportunity to learn something new outside their normal classroom environment and they meet a lot of other students, both at school and in the surrounding area, that they may not have otherwise become friends with,” 

– Claire Connor, Award Leader based in Hawkes Bay