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Kia ora, Malo e lelei, Talofa lava, Bula vinaka, Kia orana, Fakalofa lahi atu, Namaste, Nei hao, Greetings! Young people want to be engaged as change-makers in their lives, their families and their communities. If I could choose where to put tax payers money it would be in community development, in creating environments where young people are involved rather than spending more on social and health services.

Young people are disproportionately affected by the problems in our communities – drugs, family violence, education failure and lack of jobs – and they must be empowered to be part of the solution. We have some wonderful services in New Zealand and Youthline is proud to partner with many organisations to support young people when they need help.

Change happens when youth and community development are seen as two sides of the same coin and young people are given the tools, training and trust to apply their creativity and energy to bring about change in their own lives and in their neighbourhoods and communities.

Youthline’s ethos since 1970 has been to involve young people as leaders in their own development and as change agents in their communities. Our restructure created 5 community centres so that we can continue to strengthen our position as New Zealand’s most salient youth support organisation.

Youthline’s vision is to create communities, which relate to the needs of young people, respond to them, and support them to achieve their potential.

We are focused on ensuring every young person knows where to get help, feels okay asking for help and can get good help when needed, can help a friend through a hard time, are engaged in things that light their fire and that young people work as change agents with families and communities to make all this happen. Thank you for being there and for making the difference. Kaore e toia roatia te korero aku noa, na

Stephen Bell Auckland CEO

SUPPORTERS NEWSLETTER WINTER 2014 ISSUE 5

FRIENDS OFYOUTHLINE

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IN THIS ISSUESTEPHEN BELL

AUCKLAND CEO

NEW ONLINE SPACE LAUNCHED

WAREHOUSE PEN CAMPAIGN

TALK ABOUT WHAT MATTERS CAMPAIGN

OVERLAND PARTNERSHIP

TXT RESEARCH

YOUTHLINE LAUNCHES NEW ONLINE SPACEYouthline has changed the way it interacts with young people with the launch of its online community in July.

The digital space is a completely redesigned website, with accessible, interactive information and refreshed content. This includes an extensive information hub, self-assessment tools, moderated peer to peer social media platform, a customised content feed and ongoing new features and updates.

Some of these updates will include web chat and video counselling, as Youthline works to make getting help more accessible.

This project was made possible thanks to the generous support of The Vodafone New Zealand Foundation, and World of Difference recipient Jackson Darlow. The creative and technical expertise of Darlow has challenged Youthline to grow and think

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STREET APPEAL PICS

COLMAR BRUNTON RESEARCH

VOLUNTEER PROFILE

FUNDRAISING CHRONICLE

ARL PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCED

AUCKLAND MARATHON

MASSEY RESILIENCY STUDY

Continued to page 2

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The Warehouse Pen Campaign has been another resounding success for Youthline, with the month long event resulting in a grand total of 80,572 stylus pens being sold during June.

The $80,572 raised will go towards the running cost of our youth helpline and text counselling service, and will result in 10% of the annual cost been covered by the Warehouse and the pen cam-paign.

As with other years, we ran a small incentive to engage with and encourage the staff of the 93 stores nationwide.

This year’s winner was South Auckland’s Clendon store who sold 2354 pens with a 8.08% conversion rate – they won $500 for their store’s social club.

In second place was last year’s winners Royal Oak who sold 3207 pens with a conversion rate of 7.68% and won $300.

In third place was West City who sold 3563 pens with a conversion rate of 7.49% and won $200.

And all stores who sold their initial allocation went into a draw for $1000 and the winners this year was Taupo.

Thanks to everyone who got involved and made it another great success.

WAREHOUSE PEN CAMPAIGN SUCCESS

big in the digital realm.

“It’s all about connecting with the Youthline audience, young people, their supporters and the community, on their level,” Darlow said.

The new platform provides localised content, events and programmes that enable the user to choose their location in New Zealand.

The relevance of the new online community has been reinforced by the recent Youthline commissioned Colmar-Brunton youth survey which found that young people are turning to Google and other websites for help before family, friends and professionals.

Youthline has a history of pushing itself to be on the cutting edge in order to provide the best possible service to young people. With a client base known for its rapid adoption of technological advancements, Youthline works

How do you feel when you share your stories with others?

Better out than in, as the saying goes. Opening up about something that is troubling you, keeping you awake at night or weighing you down can be really difficult. Everyone has a story to tell and sharing yours with someone can be a powerful experience.

So – get it off your chest! We’ve created a space where you can take the first step by telling us your story. Use a postcard as a canvas and write down something that you’ve never told anyone. It can be heavy, funny, big, small, a confession, a childhood memory as long as it’s real and honest.

People express great regret when they realise they did not support a person in need. They often say they were caught up and did not realise

TALK ABOUT WHAT MATTERS CAMPAIGN

alongside young people to provide relevant support mechanisms. With the introduction of text counselling in 2006, Youthline pioneered an avenue for help which gives young people anonymity and autonomy in their counselling, significant given embarrassment is the single greatest barrier to young people asking for help.

In order to ensure Youthline’s new digital space would be relevant, young people were involved throughout its conception and development with Youthline Youth Advisory Groups reviewing each step.

As well as being a space to ask for and give support, it is also designed to be a space that illuminates and inspires youth-led community, business, and creative development and leadership.

“It’s an acknowledgment of how important it is to come alongside young people so they can make positive change and support others in their lives,” said Stephen Bell, Youthline Auckland CEO.

they were needed by someone around them. This is when young people are turning to Youthline - we’re here to provide support when it feels like no one else is. Youthline encourages people to talk about the things that really matter. After all, New Zealand’s youth is New Zealand’s future.

Check it out www.youthline.co.nz/getitoffyourchest

Youthline Auckland’s Dominic Boekweit (centre) with the staff from the Warehouse in Clendon.

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ARL AND YOUTHLINE CHANGING LIVES ON AND OFF THE FIELD

Zane Smith was named Volunteer of the Year 2013 at the end of last year. He has been involved with Youthline since 2011 and is currently based at the Auckland Central office in Ponsonby.

“Being part of Youthline is a very unique experience. It has taught me never to judge a book by its cover.

“As part of the various groups I have been part of I have had the opportunity to meet some people with really unique life experiences and amazed to find that I was able to form friendships with people I would generally have thought I had very little in common with.

Being part of an organisation that helps so many is a great thing, there are many different avenues within Youthline so try them out and make the most of it.

He says the best thing about volunteering is the “feeling I get inside, just knowing I play a small part in an organisation that is there to help make a difference in the community, it’s the giving

VOLUNTEER PROFILE: ZANE SMITH

Youthline became the first official charity partner of the Auckland Rugby League (ARL) earlier this year. A ceremony to celebrate the partnership was held at Youthline Auckland Central in Ponsonby on March 20. Youthline Auckland CEO Stephen Bell said young people will reap the rewards of this partnership. “We hope it will help young people to know where to go for help and enable them to reach out when they need to,” Mr Bell said. Auckland Rugby League Football Operations Manager Gordon Gibbons said the partnership was sure to prove beneficial to both parties. “We are very pleased to have established this link with Youthline, who do wonderful work in our community and are a perfect fit for the ARL. This enables us to provide help to our clubs and players not only on the field, but off it as well. ” Gibbons said. Each club will also be able to raise awareness for Youthline within their own community. “We need to get the message out to our young players that no issue they are facing is too big to solve,” Gibbons said.

ARL is the governing body for 32 clubs from Waiuku to Rodney and has over 10,000 members and about 6,000 of those are young people.

(from left) Auckland Rugby League Chairman Dene Biddlecombe and Youthline Chairman Mark Giles sign the partnership.

Mark started as Youthline Manukau’s manager at the end of last year and since then he said he has been busy. Mark said there has been a lot of learning to do.

“Where things fit, how things go, who makes the best coffee and why the Y drive,” he added.

Mark wanted to work at Youthline Manukau because he had spent the last 20 years working with Youth. He said the opportunity to move back from Christchurch and continue the work he loves doing was the main attraction. He said the favourite part of his job is helping staff and young people develop.

“I enjoy sharing knowledge and working with staff and young people to learn. It’s kind of cool seeing other people take a small discussion, a tool, or a workshop and run with it then run away with it and make it their own and grow it.”

My passion has always been about helping others. I get back so much more than I give out so it’s not really altruistic.

YOUTHLINE MANUKAU’S NEW MANAGER MARK ESEKIELU

Youthline Auckland is always looking for people to take part in FUNdraising activities. Each year many people indulge in a whole host of activities to have fun and raising money. If you have an idea and you need some help to get started email events@youthline.co.nz

FUNDRAISING CHRONICLE

Join us!! If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer check out http://auckland.youthline.co.nz/home/services/training-and-seminars/hel-pline-volunteer-training/ for more informa-tion. Or email supportcentre@youthline.co.nz

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Youthline is proud to have the support of the Young Hearts Project, an exciting initiative created by Overland Footwear. Every time a pair of sneakers from the exclusive Deuce Generation collection is sold, $5 goes directly to the project.

We’ve been lucky enough to have Matt Hewitt, NZ Pro Surfer and Deuce Generation Ambassador, visit our Youthline Auckland Cen-tral Community Centre and inspire young people to follow their passions.

Matt understands more than anyone the importance of growing resiliency in young people, and is more than happy to spend some time hanging out with New Zealand’s youth and talking about how to cope with tough situations.

Matt’s on tour at the moment, competing in the Sooruz Lacanau Pro 2014 and has heaps of support from the Youthline team. To check out the awesome range from Deuce Generation and keep updated with Matt’s progress head to www.deucegeneration.com

OVERLAND PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCED

The world has changed a lot since Youthline’s helpline started operating over 40 years ago which is why our text counselling service was set up.

It’s now been 10 years since Youthline started text counselling and now one of our long time volunteers has completed research into the viability of the text counselling service.

It details why and how Youthline has become textually active and introduced text counselling into our service. Long-time volunteer and PHD student Alisa Haxell conducted the research entitled Enactments of Change: Becoming textually active at Youthline NZ which has researched the viability of text counselling.

The thesis looks at the relationship between how people think about change and what they do to enact it.

In this case, it explores the shift in the practices of telephone coun-selling to the silent texting space of SMS messaging. The use of technology is based on the needs of the people in-volved and it became apparent that the technology shapes those involved. Ms Haxell states that her intention with the research was not to prove text counselling as good or bad but rather “ to appreciate the precarious, uncertain, and revisable nature of text counselling as practiced and to provide openings for improving practice.

For more on this research visit : http://dro.deakin.edu.au/view/DU:30054854

RESEARCH SHEDS LIGHT ON TXT COUNSELLING

THANKS TO THE TODD FOUNDATION AND SKY CITY AUCKLAND COMMUNITY TRUSTA big thanks goes to the Todd Foundation and Sky City Auckland Community Trust for supporting our Youth Into Employment Programme.

This programme helps young people transition from school into adulthood and our experience shows they can have a number of barriers preventing them from successfully transi-tioning into the workforce. These barriers may include mental health/emotional issues, confidence, self-belief and alcohol or drugs. Youthline has developed a series of workshops, internships and employment programmes to support young people in their transition.

Funding means we have been able to employ two employment specialists who are crucial to the success of this programme. The employment specialists work alongside young people to help them find work experience and assist them with any challenges. They also support the businesses that have provided the opportunities to these young people.

The Todd Foundation is a private family philanthropy based in Wellington who provide funding to NZ organisations that contribute to their vision of inclusive communities where all families, children and young people can thrive and contribute. Skycity Auckland Community Trust provides funding to support programmes that make a difference to family/whanau social health and wellbeing.

FROM LEFT:Matt Lewis talks to a group of young people at the Counties Manukau District Health Board Rise 2 Conquer event alongside Action Education’s Dietrich

Youthline is excited to see our brand alongside Deuce Generation’s on Matt’s surfboard.

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THE STREET APPEAL IN PICTURES

Depression did not rank amongst the list of issues facing youth today, according to a national Colmar Brunton survey, commissioned by Youthline, released this month.

The survey of 403 people aged 16 to 24 found that 7 out of 10 of young people said the biggest issue facing youth today is alcohol. This was followed by issues around being accepted, bullying and self-esteem.

However, when asked about the biggest issues they face personally only 1 in 10 mentioned alcohol. Whereas 32% of the participants noted stress as an issue they had personally faced when going through a difficult time, followed by self- esteem and relationships at 28% and confidence at 25%.

One in two survey respondents did not believe their issue was big enough to ask for help.

Notably, they did not name depression as an issue facing young people, or a personal issue, despite the fact 1 in 7 young people in New Zealand will experience a major depressive disorder before the age of 24.

Information about depression therefore needs to be communicated strategically to this demographic, as a young person experiencing depression may use different language for it or simply not recognise it for what it is.

Youthline is working alongside Auckland University and Lifeline in the delivery of the recently released computer-based E-therapy programme called SPARX, a tool which uses computer game technology to help young people navigate their way through depression.

Unsurprisingly, young people who identified that they were supported as needed, through a difficult time, were significantly less likely to identify as having issues with self-esteem, being accepted, peer pressure, suicide, and so on.

Youthline Auckland CEO Stephen Bell says that this survey demonstrates the importance of “being alongside” youth when stressed and being cautious not to label or pathologise normal adolescent behaviour as an illness.” “It is heartening to see Youthline is recognised as a key New Zealand Youth Support Agency, with prompted recognition at 80% and unprompted at 53%, according to the survey. Youthline is well placed as a key hub of information, advice, and community for young people, and their supporters,” Mr Bell said.

The recent Colmar Brunton youth survey also finds young people are turning to Google and other websites for help before family, friends and professionals.

The survey of more than 400 young people, commissioned by Youthline, shows 64% of those surveyed listed Google and other websites as the most common place to access information about sex, drugs, alcohol, depression, health and other issues. Talking to friends was the second most common, at 46%, followed by TV shows and magazines at 15% and 11%, respectively.

The anonymity of the internet mitigates feelings of embarrassment young people have about asking for help, which the survey identified as the biggest barrier to getting support

and assistance from a support organisation.

“The need for a safe, engaging, and informative online space for young people has never been more evident,” said Youthline Auckland CEO Stephen Bell, “we, in partnership with young people and other likeminded organisations, are committed to delivering such a space.”

Youthline has developed its online experience through YouthONline (YO!), with the generous support of the Vodafone World of Difference Programme. In addition to an updated web presence, the project will also see the delivery of a suite of cutting edge tools including a web chat counselling platform, a social media style platform, and face-to-face video counselling,

identified by the survey as the most important service to provide support for young people.

As the most recognised New Zealand Youth Support Agency, with prompted recognition at 80% and unprompted at 53%, according to the survey, Youthline is well placed as a key online hub of information, advice, and community for young people, and their supporters. In addition to being available online, providing personal support in person, on the phone, and over text are also more important than ever.

In addition to embarrassment, one in two young people cite cost as a barrier to seeking help from a support organisation. Youthline’s free helpline is available 24/7 and it’s free text service is available between 8am and midnight. It costs $800,000 a year to run the helpline, which equates to $90/hour, or $1.50 a minute. Last year over 250,000 contacts were managed by Youthline with 24,000 young people supported.

YOUTH ID STRESS BEFORE DEPRESSION

YOUTH TURN TO GOOGLE BEFORE FRIENDS AND FAMILY

The Auckland Central team taking part in the annual Street Appeal. A big thanks goes out to all our wonderful volunteers who helped us raise $13,000.

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DONATE TO YOUTHLINE

Ever thought about running a marathon? Why not tick it off your bucket list and take part in the 2014 Auckland Marathon this year for Youthline.

Youthline has 25 spots available for golden runners to participate in the marathon on November 2 in either the half or full marathon.

Youthline will pay your entry fee and will provide group training sessions for all the participants as well as training guides.

Anyone is welcome to sign up. As a participant you will fundraise on behalf of Youthline for the run. The half marathon runners have a fundraising target of $1500 and full marathon runners have a target of $2500.

By running and fundraising for Youthline our half marathon runners will fund the helpline for 17 hours and support 50 young people and our full runners fund 28 hours and support at least 83 young people.

Last year 17,000 entrants competed in the marathon and this year you could be part of the action.

The participants that ran on behalf of charities raised $1 million dollars and this year the marathon organisers are hoping to double that figure.

So what are you waiting for? Choose to run for Youthline today and you’ll be supporting Kiwi youth by helping to raise essential funds for the flagship counselling helpline service. If this sounds like something you’d like to do email events@youthline.co.nz.

STEP UP FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF NZSince 2008, Youthline has been involved with an exciting nationwide research project. The Resilience Research Project is a long-term project comprised of two studies based at Massey University which focus on young people in New Zealand who face significant risks. The studies explore what helps young people thrive and what holds them back.

The Pathways to Resilience Research Project This study looks at what services young people in NZ have used and what their experiences have been. Its aim is to identify services and strategies that are successful in assisting young people to achieve positive outcomes in their lives.

The Youth Transitions Research This is a 3 year longitudinal study that follows youth as they move into adulthood. It explores the strategies they use and their strengths, abilities, plans, relationships and services to help them cope with hard times and to make successful transitions to adulthood.

Approximately 1500 young people nationwide, aged from 12-17 years old are involved in these studies.

The project is part of an international study and works closely with their Canadian counterparts who conceptualised the original Pathways study. The International Resilience Project (IRP) is a multi-year international research study coordinated through Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Youthline Auckland has been helping with the data collection for the Auckland region. We are now starting our 6th and final year of this project. Each year we have met up with the same young people and asked them about their experiences during that year. Nearly all of the participants have chosen to remain involved every year.

Overall, the partnership with Massey University is extremely positive and we look forward to another successful year ahead. For more information check out www.youthsay.co.nz.

RESILIENCY RESEARCH PROJECT

A massive thank you goes toLoopy Rider Owen Johnston who took part in the Taupo Enduro challenge and raised $1900 for Youthline

The Hope for Joshua riders Jordan and Bob cycled from Auckland to Wellington in April this year in memory of Jordan’s brother.

And our Irish friends John and Peter rode the length of NZ in March this year to raise money and awareness about Youthline and depression.

It costs $30 each time a volunteer helps one young person in NZ. To continue to provide our services to the community, we need your help!

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