Vision
To enable all young people in Ōtautahi the opportunity to lead healthy, safe and valued lives, fulfilling their potential and vibrantly contributing to their community.
Mission statement
The Youth Hub creates a safe haven for young people needing support between 10 and 25 years of age. It is a collaboration of co-located services that gives opportunity for young people to grow in an environment of encouragement and positive social engagement. The village of wellbeing-focused services are supported to ensure best evidence-based practice, sharing a core commitment to Mana Taiohi principles of youth development and honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi. In partnership with the Youth Hub Trust, relationships are fostered by manaakitaka, open communication, honesty and ethically sharing information in the best interests of the young people.
The need
It’s been a tough few years for Christchurch’s young people with the earthquakes, mosque shootings and COVID-19 pandemic.
New Zealand’s largest survey of young people, Youth-19, found that one in five high school students could not see a health professional when needed and that depression and suicide ideation had increased. The report recommended improvement priorities, including ‘one-stop-shops’ for rangatahi, where they can access healthcare and other services. It also found that services available are not currently fit for purpose for young people – particularly for rainbow, Māori, Pasifika, and male youth.
The most recent set of youth health statistics also show a deterioration in the mental health and wellbeing of our young people aged 15-24, including:
26% rated themselves as having poor overall mental wellbeing. *Stats NZ’s 2021 Wellbeing Stats
11% were not employed or in some form of education or training. *Stats NZ Labour Market Stats for September 2022 quarter
40% of 18-34-year-olds say they have seriously considered suicide or self-harm in the past year. *Ipsos Global Advisor Study 2022
16% reported unmet need for professional mental health support. *Stats NZ Wellbeing Stats 2021
28% felt lonely at least some of the time. *Stats NZ Wellbeing Stats 2021
24% reported high or very high levels of psychological distress. *NZ Health Survey 2021/22.
Youth Hub Christchurch aims to be the turning point in the lives of young people aged 10-25. The Hub will be the first of its kind in New Zealand and will be based in the heart of central Christchurch. It will act as a communal place of growth and wellbeing and will give opportunities to those who need a chance to prove themselves as contributing citizens of our city and country.
The Hub will connect socially supportive organisations under one roof to deliver a holistic one-stop model of wrap-around services including mental health, medical, education, employment and training, transitional housing, recreation, creativity, and social entrepreneurship. Importantly, it will do this in a youth-centric and accessible environment where young people feel accepted and supported as they develop into adults with respect to their ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation and gender.
The plans for the Youth Hub closely align with transitioning young people out of state care, fulfilling the goals of the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy and improving youth mental health outcomes.
From a people and economic viewpoint, we believe Youth Hub Christchurch is an investment worth making. We hope you agree.
