CASESTUDY
MUNASHE MAVURAYI
Age : 19 Birthplace : Zimbabwe Lives : Middlesbrough
Primary school : Victoria High Primary School , Zimbabwe
Secondary school : Outwood Academy Acklam
School qualifications : GCSEs
Education & qualifications : Level 3 in Public Services at Middlesbrough College
Current role : Support worker , Moonrise 24hr Recruitment of Stockton
Years with current employer : Two years
My career path ( jobs ): Volunteered at YMCA charity shop before joining Moonrise after completing college course .
When I was at school I wanted to be a police officer . I ’ ve always wanted to be one . It ’ s serving the public that attracts me .
My favourite subjects at secondary school were PE and science . I was good at geography too . I moved from Zimbabwe to Middlesbrough when I was 13 , which wasn ’ t easy . School was very different and sometimes I couldn ’ t understand the Teesside accent !
My least favourite subjects at secondary school was maths . Definitely !
THE BEST ADVICE I WAS EVER GIVEN WAS DON ’ T RUSH .
I wish school had taught me resilience . I ’ m impatient sometimes but I ’ ve become more resilient when things haven ’ t happened as quickly as I wanted them . I ’ m totally focused on joining the police , so I ’ m taking driving lessons and building my fitness towards passing the physical exam that ’ s part of the selection process for joining the police .
If my 16-year-old self could see me now , they ’ d be most surprised about how my confidence has improved . I believe in myself , though it ’ s good to have my dad ’ s encouragement and advice .
My advice to anyone who doesn ’ t know what to do after leaving school is don ’ t rush any decisions . And be willing to try different things . I ’ m so happy to have become a carer for young autistic people , as it has helped me to understand people , to listen and to keep calm in challenging situations , which will all help me when I ’ m a police officer .
My main responsibilities are to help those young people to be independent and take them out on activities .
The best thing about my job is working with the young people that I support . It is really satisfying to help them get out and meet new people , build their trust and friendship . I know I ’ m making a positive impact on their lives .
The best advice I was ever given was don ’ t rush . Sometimes it ’ s easy to look at your life right now and forget that time is on your side . You need to be patient , as you ’ ve got your whole life ahead .
Hobbies / pastimes / sports : Football .
Favourite music : hip-hop and pop .
Favourite social media : Instagram , Snapchat and TikTok .
Favourite film : Inglorious Basterds .
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