Supporter profile: Katya Baker, intern

We’re extremely grateful to all those who provide their ideas, time, support and donations to The Little Miracles Trust. 

A consistent theme we encounter in our work is the very special people who choose to get involved. From those who give their time and support to the care of neonatal babies, the families themselves who go above and beyond for others, and the social profit space in general.
We’re keen to highlight some of these wonderful people with a regular profile piece. Below you can learn more about the wonderful Katya Baker who is interning with The Little Miracles Trust as part of the Victoria Unitversity Internship Programme.   

Supporter profile, Katya Baker 

As written by Katya
I am joining The Little Miracles Trust as part of an internship programme offered by Victoria University of Wellington. The programme is for high-achieving students, and is designed to give the student experience in a working environment and opportunities to employ their skills and knowledge to the benefit of their host organisation. The internship programme is a great way for university students to explore potential post-academic opportunities while simultaneously taking courses to finish their degree. There is also a course counterpart to the internship, and I am able to share my stories from The Little Miracles Trust with other students, while also hearing about their unique internships.  
 
The Little Miracles Trust has been a host organisation to three Victoria University interns in the past, and has found their input and assistance most helpful.  So far, working for the social profit group has challenged me and allowed me to consider what I want to do after university. I am currently in the last trimester of my Bachelor of Arts degree and I was incredibly pleased to be offered the opportunity of working with The Little Miracles Trust as part of my coursework. I hope to contribute to the organisation by offering my skills and my time, and learn valuable lessons and experiences in return. I have volunteered for numerous charities in the past, including NZ Blood, the SPCA, and the Cancer Society.  

After my first meeting with Neil O’Styke (Executive Director of The Little Miracles Trust), I found myself wishing to know more about the people who devoted their time to such a worthy cause. I came away with a new appreciation of the great work and enthusiasm of its members as well the volunteers, expressed beautifully in their motto: “We are dedicated to making a difficult start to life that little bit easier.”
 
Over the course of my time with The Little Miracles Trust, I will help raise awareness through its World Prematurity Day activity and also the ‘Lighting Up Purple’ initiative. This will involve developing communications plans, and enabling media interest through drafting media releases and articles for various media outlets. In addition to the ‘Lighting Up Purple’ campaign, I will also be involved in the Mojo ‘Old Phones for New Lives’ promotion, an annual fundraising initiative undertaken by one of our valued partners. 

Our thanks go to:

• Katya, for joining the team and providing your enthusiasm and skills to help The Little Miracles Trust
   
• The BizDojo which provides sponsored space to The Little Miracles Trust.
  This is invaluable and every Wednesday Katya heads to the BizDojo to have a catch-up and planning session to keep things moving.
  Pictured to the right is Katya in the great BizDojo space. 
  To learn more about the BizDojo, visit wellington.bizdojo.com
   
• Victoria University. The Little Miracles Trust is privileged to be supported by the great Internship programme, with Katya following in the steps of three previous interns.
  To learn more about the Victroia University Internship programme, visit www.victoria.ac.nz/fhss/study/awards/ba-internships
   
• All of Partners, volunteers and supporters whom Katya will work with. We can’t undertake our awareness and support activty without your help!
  To see examples of our support, head here.