Move to central city to benefit New Plymouth’s youth

Move to central city to benefit New Plymouth’s youth

An organisation that supports youth and their families in a host of ways is moving to more central premises.

From June 22 Taranaki Youth Services will be opening in its new location at 63 Devon St, above Pita Pit. Previously it has been based at 124 St Aubyn St. The service is just one of three within Rangatahi Services, which also encompasses Alternative Education and Infant, Child, Adolescent & Youth Mental Health who will also be moving.

Team Leader Simone Betsy says Rangatahi Services wanted a building that was more youth friendly in terms of accessibility and visibility.

“Now we will be based in the centre of town in a brighter, lighter premises with more space for one-on-one meetings and breakout rooms. We want our young people to feel it’s a welcoming place where they will be listened to and supported.”

In addition, the new site gives the staff greater proximity to where they need to be. The team of youth and social workers plans to be more mobile, meeting with youth, families, training providers and other key stakeholders out and about in the community.

“It means they are closer to those places they need to be such as YMCA, U-turn and FEATS,” says Simone. The new premises will give them space to run work-ready training programmes, due to start in July.

Taranaki Youth Service helps young people aged between 16-18 to access education, training or work-based learning. These young people are Not in Education Employment or Training (NEET) or receiving a benefit Work and Income Youth Payment, Young Parent Payment or are Young Partners.

Staff support young people to make good choices through mentoring and initiatives such as budgeting, parenting and educational programmes.

Youth Service also helps young people to understand what they need to succeed at school or work-based training, link them with other education or training providers and put together individual action plans.

As well as the New Plymouth office there is a Youth Service office in Hawera at 1 Glover Road. To find out more about Youth Service nationwide see youthservice.govt.nz

ENDS

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