Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Community Involvement
Interest and Hobbies
Referees
Timeline
Generic
Irene Hepi

Irene Hepi

irenemghepi@gmail.com
New Plymouth,Strandon

Summary

PROFILE

I am currently employed at the Salvation Army Bridge Taranaki as Consumer Advisors and seconded in a role as Peer Recovery support worker and Administrator at 4Taranaki 4Waitara drug and alcohol counselling services.


I completed the NZ Certificate and Wellbeing with strands in Addictions at Te Pukenga Taranaki n 2021 with A+ endorsement. I also completed Te Reo Level 1 and am enrolled in Te Reo Level 2 in 2023.


My personal lived experience with alcohol addiction and recovery with the support of my GP, Taranaki NA Groups and the Drug and Alcohol counselling at Te Whatu Ora Taranaki, inspired me to study and work in the Addictions space. My journey since October 2017, personal insight of addictions services, voluntary work experience at Family works, my current employment at Salvation Army Bridge Taranaki and 4Taranaki4Waitara counselling services puts me in a good position to assist tangata whāiora to learn skills, seek help achieve goals and make positive choices to live a life free of addiction.


My own wellness toolbox includes walking and swimming (always make me happy) and stretching exercises. I live near the beach and stream and I am grateful that I can walk there daily, stopping, listening and appreciating my surroundings. My hobby is soap-making which I find therapeutic and it brings me joy when I can give them away to family and friends.

Overview

30
30
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education

Work History

Peer Recovery Coach/Administrator

Salvation Army Bridge
01.2022 - Current

A seconded role under the Salvation Army Bridge for 12 months working alongside an Addictions Practitioner for 4Taranaki4Waitara (Te Pa Harakeke, Te Whatu Ora Taranaki)

.

Tasks are:

  • Scheduled appointments and conducted follow-up calls to tangata whāiora
  • Microsoft Office to manage calendar and client database.
  • Correspondence with referrers.
  • Participating in Community Integration activities with tangāta whaiora including bike rides, fishing and BBQ's.


Consumer Advisor

Salvation Army Bridge Taranaki
03.2021 - Current
  • Consumer Advisor advising tangata whāiora the HDC Code of Rights
  • Advocating tangata whaiōra in the Complaints process
  • Following up on Intake Assessment process
  • Marama Real Time Consumer Feedback facilitator
  • Group facilitator delivering an 8 week recovery programme including group feedback and reporting Corrective Action report to Director
  • MDT in Clinical, Rehabilitation House and National Consumer Advisor Hui.
  • Gathering feedback from whānau.
  • Responsible for End to End recruitment

Property Supervisor

Bach Break Taranaki
10.2019 - 03.2021

Bach Break Taranaki is a short term stay for guest accomodation

Tasks include:

  • Housekeeping Bach Break properties to a High Standard
  • Reporting to Operations Manager with tenant concerns promptly and appropriately.
  • Identifying property damage and reporting to Operations Manager
  • Staff training
  • Responsible for Company vehicle
  • Responsible for property keys and access.
  • Final property inspections before guest arrivals.

Administration Assistant

Family Works And NP Volunteering
01.2019 - 12.2020

Family Works is a NGO working alongside whānau.

This is a voluntary role through NP Volunteers.

  • Checking Oranga Tamariki case files for auditing purposes
  • Inputting information into PAUA
  • General office duties, phones and filing
  • Processing intake information via phone call

Property Staging Assistant

Home Love & MetteK
01.2018 - 06.2019

Home Love MetteK - Property Staging houses for sale

Tasks include:

  • Walk-through properties with Real Estate Agent
  • Assisting with design, colour, furniture and accessories placement to a high standard for photographs
  • Assisting with furniture moving, in and out of properties.


Co-Director and Office Manager

Red Jacket Engineering Services
07.2003 - 05.2018

Red Jacket is a civil and structural engineering serivice of which I was integral to the Company's growth and success.

  • Assisted co-director/Engineer in managing all aspects of operations.
  • Oversaw business calendar of events and scheduled key initiatives.
  • Liaising with Staff including engineers, CAD Designers
  • Collaborating with IT, Legal and Financial specialists regarding financial and legal operations.
  • Liaising with clients including District Councils, Architects, Property Developers.


Secretary

Andrew Sylvester Child Psychologist
01.2007 - 11.2007
  • Typing reports as dictated by psychologist
  • Input expenses into spreadsheet
  • Maintained office supplies inventory by checking stock and ordering new supplies.
  • Provided clerical support to Psychologist by copying, faxing and filing documents.

Secretary

Okato College
01.2000 - 12.2006
  • Provided clerical support to School Principal, Board Secretary and teaching staff
  • First contact with Students and whanau in receptionist role
  • Administering First Aid to students
  • Maintained office supplies inventory by checking stock and ordering new supplies.
  • Checking and editing student reports, principal reports and College Magazine.
  • Working alongside Administrator to transition Okato College and local primary schools to Coastal Taranaki School as directed by NZ Government.

Education

Level 1 Certificate - Te Reo Maori

Te Pukenga
Taranaki
11.2022

Alcohol And Drug Addiction

Salvation Army Consumer Advisor Hui
Auckland
11.2022

Alcohol And Drug Addiction

MESSNZ
Auckland
02.2022

First Aid Comprehensive

Red Cross
Taranaki
12.2021 - 12.2021

Wellness Recovery Action Plan

Te Rau Ora
Auckland
12.2021

Certificate ADOM - Alcohol And Drug Addicition

Te Pou
Auckland
12.2021

Level 4 Certificate - Mental Health And Addicitions

Te Pukenga
Taranaki
03.2021 - Current

Keeping Children Safe

ASARS Salvation Army
Hamilton
03.2021

Skills

  • A strong advocate for tangata whāiora
  • A good listener who is empathetic
  • Good communications skills including group facilitation with tangata whāiora
  • Excellent administration and organisation skills, like to see the Big Picture but also detail orientated
  • Analytical and good problem solver
  • Confident to ask questions for learning development
  • Experience in Microsoft office, PAUA, SAMIS

Community Involvement


2019 Taranaki Events, BDO Round the Mountain Cycle Challenge and Taranaki Steelformers Relay 

  • Recording finish line results, collating results on computer,
  • Preparing registration packs and handing to competitors as per the registration list.
  • Giving out spot prizes pre race day
  • BBQ duties

2017 Workwise Taranaki  Volunteer

  • Cover for receptionist

2015-2017 Alzheimers Support Group in Taumarunui

  • Caregiver for Mā aged 96

2002-2011 NP Yacht Club Women's Committee

  • Instrumental and writing the document to secure $60,000 funding from TSB for 420 boats for Secondary Schools Teams Racing
  • Taking finish line results at National regattas on Race Boats
  • Support to sailors on support boats locally and nationally

2007-2011 NHL Hockey

  • Team Manager for NP Girls First XI Hockey Teams
  • Team Manager for Taranaki Representative Hockey First XI,
  • Support person for NZ Maori Taranaki Team









Interest and Hobbies

  • My three children who currently live internationally, Swimming and walking at East End beach,quality time with friends and whanāu, soap making.

Referees

Shane Smith

Director Salvation Army Bridge Taranaki

021 195 4231


Emma Hunter

Salvation Army Leadership Team

National Consumer Advisor

021 368 783

Timeline

Peer Recovery Coach/Administrator

Salvation Army Bridge
01.2022 - Current

First Aid Comprehensive

Red Cross
12.2021 - 12.2021

Consumer Advisor

Salvation Army Bridge Taranaki
03.2021 - Current

Level 4 Certificate - Mental Health And Addicitions

Te Pukenga
03.2021 - Current

Property Supervisor

Bach Break Taranaki
10.2019 - 03.2021

Administration Assistant

Family Works And NP Volunteering
01.2019 - 12.2020

Property Staging Assistant

Home Love & MetteK
01.2018 - 06.2019

Secretary

Andrew Sylvester Child Psychologist
01.2007 - 11.2007

Co-Director and Office Manager

Red Jacket Engineering Services
07.2003 - 05.2018

Secretary

Okato College
01.2000 - 12.2006

Level 1 Certificate - Te Reo Maori

Te Pukenga

Alcohol And Drug Addiction

Salvation Army Consumer Advisor Hui

Alcohol And Drug Addiction

MESSNZ

Wellness Recovery Action Plan

Te Rau Ora

Certificate ADOM - Alcohol And Drug Addicition

Te Pou

Keeping Children Safe

ASARS Salvation Army
Irene Hepiirenemghepi@gmail.com