Safe Spaces for Young People and their Whānau
An update on our Safe Space initiative as we reflect on the 6-month pilot in Takapuna and look to the project’s continuation and potential for future growth and development.
We developed a co-design working group to establish a Safe Space in the Takapuna Library in August 2024. Liaising with Notable PR for media release, visits to local businesses to incentivise the Space, ordering of resources, set-up, promotion to local schools, liaison with Auckland Council comms specialist and coordination/ contracting of our fabulous Respect youth counsellor (Rewa) and fantastic Springboard youth worker (Kerbeigh)!
“As the youth worker in the Safe Space, I truly believe that this project has the opportunity to alter the trajectory of some of our most vulnerable youth within Tāmaki Makaurau. The Safe Space is a physical environment where young people know they can come if they need a break from the challenges of their everyday lives. The environment is a place where young people feel welcome and feel as if they can breathe freely. On top of being a physical place of respite, the space is also equipped with the right people to provide wrap-around support to these young people in need. The Safe Space allows young people to talk with entrusted professionals about their circumstances, and allows the young people to gain wider support so that they can better navigate their difficult life circumstances. The Safe Space has the potential to provide youth with impactful insight in a way that could determine each young person’s future.” (Kerbeigh – Springboard)
The Safe Space with information and referral lock box remains in the Teen section of the Takapuna Library but we have recently relocated the Youth Wellbeing Hub to Shore Junction. We look to collaborate with Shore Junction in planned presentations to schools in Term one of 2025. The Hub will have its last session for 2024 on the 16th of December and looks to start up again, late Jan/ early Feb next year.
“Safe space has always had great potential in my opinion. Due the nature of organic growth we have catered this program to shift and adapt week by week.”
“From starting in the library downstairs, it was a very open space and was directly next to the younger age groups being 5-6-year-olds. With this in consideration we then moved to upstairs and have recently moved to Shore Junction.”
“Throughout this process we have engaged with children discussing Te whare tapa wha, emotional regulations, safety plans and encouraging a safe space for youth to engage with their emotions and to discuss freely how they have been feeling. Due to the nature of this pilot program organic growth in the beginning seemed to be the most challenging. However, changing locations seems to present a great opportunity through collaborating with a youth hub such as Shore Junction can present positives for youth’s overall support and wellbeing.” (Rewa – Respect)
The first workshop of the Heart for Youth Trust Youth Empowerment training was convened in November, 6 modules will be delivered in total, with the remaining 2-hour workshops being facilitated monthly: January-May 2025.
ANCAD continues to coordinate and facilitate the monthly co-design hui with collaborative partners: Takapuna Library, Shore Junction, Respect, Springboard and our Takapuna Community Activator.
“We initiated this project by consulting with key strategic partners and establishing a co-design working group. Co-design enabled the flexibility to adapt and pivot the project – the project was community-led. Collectively we mapped local supports and aligned strategy with current needs, embracing the infrastructure for youth wellbeing that has been established in the local board area.
We will continue to adopt this model of community-led development in future projects and initiatives. (Deb – ANCAD)”
There is interest for similar Safe Spaces in both Browns Bay and Albany. Strategy development and funding diversification to support capability and capacity is now needed to scale-up this innovative project.
