Finding Her Path: Tania’s Journey to Supporting Her Community

A Papakura woman who once struggled in the classroom is now making a difference in her community, turning her experience with dyslexia into a strength that shapes the way she cares for others.

Tania Hadley Watson now works with Cross Country Rentals, an assisted transport provider for people with special needs, providing healthcare assistance and pastoral support across Papakura. It’s a role that relies not just on practical skills, but on empathy - something she has in abundance.

For Tania, getting to this point wasn’t always straightforward.

Living with dyslexia meant learning could be challenging and, at times, discouraging. But when she enrolled in a Health and Wellbeing Level 2 and 3 programme at Skills Institute, part of Skills Group, things began to shift.

From day one, tutors and support staff worked to make sure Tania had the support she needed to succeed. Tutors took the time to understand how Tania learns best, adapting their approach so she could build confidence in her own way. Rather than being held back by her dyslexia, she was supported to work with it - something she says made all the difference.

“It wasn’t just about getting a qualification,” Tania says. “It was about someone believing in me and showing me I could do this.”

One of her tutors, Nikhil Peter, says Tania’s determination stood out early on. “Tania never gave up, even when things were challenging,” Nikhil says. “Once she realised she had the right support around her, her confidence really grew. You could see her start to believe in herself.”

That support extended beyond the classroom. Through ongoing pastoral care, learner support staff checked in regularly, helping her navigate challenges, stay motivated and keep moving forward.

“It’s about more than just study,” Nikhil says. “Pastoral care means making sure learners feel supported as a whole person and that’s when you start to see them really succeed.”

 

By the time she completed her training, Tania had not only gained new skills, but a stronger sense of self-belief and a clearer direction for her future.

With support to explore employment opportunities, she stepped into a role that aligned with what mattered most to her - helping others.

Today, Tania supports people in her community with both healthcare assistance and pastoral care, offering not just practical help but genuine connection. Her own experiences mean she understands the importance of patience, encouragement and simply being there for someone.

For Tania, dyslexia is no longer something that defines her limitations. Instead, it’s part of what drives her and what helps her connect with others facing their own challenges.

Her journey highlights the impact of the right support at the right time, and the role strong pastoral care can play in helping learners move forward with confidence.

Now, she’s giving back to her community every day with care shaped by both her skills and her story.




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