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| November 2002 |
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Linwood-based trust to focus on youth needs
A charitable trust that aims to help young people realise their
potential and make empowered choices about their futures has
been set up in Linwood. The Youth Initiatives Trust Ka Whakaaro o Ka Rakatahi was
launched in October to help access funding and provide guidance
for youth initiatives in the area. And already it has its first project — the setting up of a youth cafe.
Youth Initiatives Trust spokesperson Erin Ebborn-Gillespie says the
idea of a youth cafe came about as a result of extensive consultation
with youth in the area. “Research had been done in the past on the needs of youth
locally. However, when this research was conducted and
recommendations made, they were based on information given by
adults. “The community realised that when looking at youth issues, asking
young people what was important and what should happen was the
key,” she says. A result was the appointment in September 2001 of Youth
Initiatives Facilitators (YIFs) Manu Paringatai (22) and Rebecca Duell
(23). The pair, appointed in a partnership between 198 Youth
Health and the Hagley/Ferrymead Community Board, immediately
set about a six-month youth consultation exercise in Linwood,
Woolston, Bromley and Phillipstown to find out about youth needs
and aspirations in the east of the city. They released their findings earlier this year in a report called
Proposals From Young People. One of the proposals was for the
youth cafe which young people could help set up, manage and work
in. That proposal, with the trust’s support, is gaining momentum. A
cafe committee of young people has been set up and is working
with Rebecca and Manu. A central Linwood site has been identified
for the cafe, close to Eastgate Mall. Erin says that while the trust will be responsible for the financial,
legal and administration aspects of the cafe, it is young people who
will make the decisions. “From the food, artwork, music and social events to what it will
end up being called, young people will be the decision-makers. “This process is just as important as the end result. It’s about giving
youth opportunities they otherwise would not have had.” Bob Todd, Chairman of the Hagley-Ferrymead Community Board,
says the creation of the trust is a most welcome initiative. “There is an urgent need for suitable facilities for young people in
the area. The Hagley/Ferrymead Community Board is most grateful
to the trust for its time, commitment and energy and is looking
forward to working with it on future projects for the benefit of
young people in the Board’s area.” The trust, funded by the Hagley/Ferrymead Community Board, is
supported by 198 Youth Health, Purnell Creighton McGowan, the
Phillipstown Community Centre, Nga Hau e Wha and other
individuals and organisations in the local community. |
