Mark Unwin

Background

About Mark Unwin

My journey has taken me to many different places and connected me with numerous incredible, passionate, creative and interesting people. Studying Outdoor Instructing in 2010 opened up many people development opportunities, starting me on a path that led me to the United Kingdom in 2014 to work as an outdoor instructor. Whilst working in camps I honed my organisational and people relating skills, quickly getting promoted to Camp Manager in 2015. Once I returned to New Zealand I continued to pursue my love for working with people and sharing uplifting experiences, working with the YMCA as the Programme Manager for Camp Wainui, 20 minutes from Akaroa. Since then I have continued my not for profit work, seeking out uplifting experiences with exceptional people. In 2017 I started as the Regional Team Leader for Youthtown, managing teams across the south island; working with children aged 5 - 12. At Youthtown, I started to re-connect with my passion for story telling and commenced a Diploma in Screen Production to build on the skills I had developed during and after high school. My connection with youth and screen production allowed me to have the invigorating experience of working with What Now, the children's TV show as the Head Audience Coordinator in 2019. Moving on from Youthtown in early 2020 to take on a new challenge as the Community Participation Manager at Hohepa Canterbury was a rewarding experience and allowed me to work as a videographer whilst managing the company YouTube channel and conducting interviews with the people Hohepa supports in order to raise money for new homes. I wrote, shot and edited these videos and they now feature on the Hohepa capital campaign website. I am in my happy place when I am able to create, problem solve and make meaningful connections. Some of my favorite elements in the work I have done thus far are- Facilitating learning experiences - Guiding and mentoring - Creative writing - Solving the "unsolvable"- Inducting and upskilling - Starting new projects - Working on videography projects and editing In my spare time I mentor a young person through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Christchurch. I have recently started to study a Certificate in Exercise via the Open Polytechnic. I am always aiming to broaden my skillset and I think my love for movement, facilitation and motivating people will lead to great things. I love to write, explore and spend times with friends and family.