WHEN Cathie Reid and Shysta Nadeem signed up to a community and health course they didn't realise just how much of an impact it would make on their lives.
The 29-year-olds are from different backrounds and different parts of the city but shared a thirst for knowledge and a desire to learn new skills.
They joined an introduction to community development and health course which includes drama, collag
e, creative writing and photography and helps students to explore issues surrounding health and how community-led initiatives can prove effective in addressing some health inequalities.
And thanks to their efforts over 14 weeks, Cathie and Shysta have succeeded alongside their 34 classmates, whose achievements were recognised recently in a graduation ceremony at the Cutlers' Hall.
Cathie already had a degree in sport and sociology but for seven years she worked in temping jobs which did not give her job satisfaction.
She'd also experienced ill health but the course helped to rekindled her interest in sport as a career and Cathie is now learning coaching skills which will be invalulable for the future;
Cathie, who now spends between 15 to 30 hours a week as a volunteer coaching children in a range of sports with Activities Sheffield, said the support and help she received has made a huge difference to her life.
Cathie said: "The course tutors were amazing. They helped me to develop my communication skills, to find out more about myself and other people and to find the path I want to take."
With the experience she's gained, Cathie's hoping to return to full-time employment in a community sports development role. Her outlook on life has also change.
She had been dreading turning 30 as but now feels much more positive about her landmark birthday.
She said: "I'm happy, I've got everything together and feel I can look forward."
Mother of two Shysta, who lived in Pakistan for eight years before returning to Sheffield in 1998, says the course has made her want to return to education and to work in the community with parents and children.
Shysta, a former classroom and special needs assistant who enrolled for the course without a clear concept of its contents, completed projectswhich included issues around praising children and Vitamin D deficiency.
"It gave me a great opportunity to learn about those subjects, both of which are relevant as I have since discovered that both my parents suffer from the Vitamin D deficiency," said Shysta from Tinsley, who would now like to work in the community and possibly become a course tutor.
"I feel proud to have completed the course."
The course is sponsored by local organisations supported by NHS Sheffield, Sheffield City Council and the Big Lottery Wellbeing Fund and is provided free in communities which face some of the greatest health inequalities.
Several courses run simultaneously throughout the year in areas including Parson Cross, Burngreave, Manor & Castle, Jordanthorpe, Upperthorpe, Tinsley and Norfolk Park.
The aim is to make a real difference to the lives of its students, many of whom go on to become tutors after completing the course.
Mai Mustaphanin, a development worker with NHS Sheffield's Community Development and Health Programme, said: "It does not matter whether students achieve the Open College Network qualification or just complete the course, it is the participation and learning which is important.
"I want our graduates to use their new-found confidence for themselves first, but hope that it is catching too so that people close to them also become motivated."
The course programme manager Elaine Goddard said: "Our graduates tell us that the course not only gives them confidence and new friends but a real desire to help in the community.
"With the skills they have gained, we hope that ultimately they will understand and improve not only their own health – in its broadest sense but that of their family, friends and the community where they live, work or volunteer."
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