Monthly Archive for February, 2010

The welcoming in of 2010 was a significant milestone in the history of Youthline as we celebrate our 40th anniversary of Youthline supporting young people in New Zealand communities. As the organisation has grown and diversified, I remember that at the heart of what we do is our volunteer led helpline, and an ethos of the community taking responsibility for others in the community.

Youthline house has had a makeover! Gone is the distinct Yellow, and now we are the big blue building in Ponsonby! Plus we have a hole in our carpark… The Youthline Manukau Development Centre resource consent was processed, and the portable building was moved to the site on the 22nd of January 2010!

That was just in time to make space to erect a marquee for Prime Minister John Key’s  visit to unveil a commemorative 40th Birthday plaque. At this special occasion Prime Minister spoke about the work we do at Youthline as potentially the last port of call for those who need support, guidance and help. These were significant words considering the governments funding cuts that have left our volunteer training programmes in need of $40K, a shaky position.

The Mentor Strategy session at the end of January was a landmark moment for my project. This team of passionate Youthline volunteers came together to reflect on how we have grown and how we can sustain the work beyond my WOD year. The outpouring of ideas attested to the power of the group and that this group will always be moving and changing as the need of our clients and our service evolve.

Pulling the pieces of the project pie together. ..We finished off 2009 with some visits to the Manukau and Auckland Central Youth Advisory Groups to excite and connect our younger people with the opportunities for them to volunteer on the helpline. This is paving the way for our TEXT training programme which will be piloted this year. I am working alongside the Youth Workers to strengthen the ways in which we develop leadership and connect young people in positions across the organisation. The text medium has provided us with new chance to engage young people in serving their peers in the community.

Enjoy the summer!
Tiffany

Since I last reported it has been extremely busy times. Lots of young people partied in and around the Nelson area over the summer period. Our services, workers and volunteers have been at full capacity, which is great but has meant we have had to turn down some event organisers who required our services. The media portrayed young people in quite a negative light over the New Year’s period but our experiences were that the overwhelming majority of young people were in good spirits and behaving like responsible citizens.

I have been supporting the YOUTHTRAIN young people to volunteer on our recreation and beach contracts and they have really stepped up to the job. I have been Coordinating HYPE-GS’s involvement in the Nelson Tasman Skatepark tour which is 7 skate park competitions throughout January in a variety of locations. These events are really popular with both competitors and spectators and I love working these events because of the positive vibes. I have also coordinated workers at a number of other events throughout the region such as the Takaka Mardi Gras and the beach ambassador service over the Christmas and New Year period.

Unfortunately I have has to deal with some situations which are the less desirable parts of my job like being a witness at a parole hearing in Christchurch and spending time de-briefing staff after serious incidents relating to violence, alcohol and other drug use and mental health. However, we learn and we grow individually and as and organisation from such interventions.

I am now in reporting, planning, funding and WOD wind down mode while factoring in some well deserved rest, recuperation and dog walking! This means not being tempted to work many shifts on our services and upcoming events. This is hard as my passion is getting out there and working with young people and communities but if I do the paperwork just won’t get done!