Cave Creek Survivor Steps Up

Students at Central New Brighton School are now benefitting from a Mentoring Programme thanks to a new joint venture set up by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Christchurch and the Youth Alive Trust in New Brighton. Currently, eight students at the school receive a visit from a volunteer mentor once a week during school hours and it is hoped that this number will grow with more support from the local community. Members from Grace Vineyard Church and Youth Alive Trust have volunteered so far and more mentors are being sought. “We hope local Brighton businesses may encourage a staff member to pop into the school and hang out with a child for an hour," says Matt Button, Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Manager.

One Christchurch businessman who has stepped up is Stephen Hannen, who owns a Storage Business and lives in Burwood. A survivor of the Cave Creek Disaster, Stephen felt he had something to offer after so many people had taken the time to guide and support him both before and after his accident. “These kids are struggling to deal with the ups and downs of life, especially since the earthquakes. If that hour a week can make a positive difference, then it's worth it!”

Made possible with earthquake related funding from The Vodafone Foundation and The United Way, Central New Brighton School Principal, Toni Burnside is delighted with the extra support. “The kids light up when their mentors come to school and the mentors seem to really enjoy their time together too. It's such a great thing for our school". Big Brothers Big Sisters is also seeking volunteers to be matched with young people in its community-based programme, where mentoring takes place outside of school hours. It is also hoped that the in-school mentoring programme can be extended to other schools in the area once more volunteers come on board.

"The need in the North Eastern side of the city is huge," says Matt Button of Big Brothers Big Sisters Christchurch!

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