North Shore rangatahi (young people) now have more access to support around family violence, bullying and mental wellbeing with a dedicated safe space in the Takapuna Library.
A joint initiative between the library, Auckland North Community and Development (ANCAD), Respect, and Neighbourhood Support North Shore with support from the Community Activator North Raki and the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board, the space was developed in response to major increases in family violence in the North Shore after the Covid 19 lockdowns.
“There's a qualified counsellor and youth worker in the safe space every Monday afternoon, so if young people want to go in and have a face-to-face conversation with someone, they can,” explains ANCAD’s Deb Humphries.
“Then throughout the week the space offers information about local services, factsheets about mental health and well-being and a lock box with referral forms so they can put in a request to connect with a service. And we've designed the form so that, even if they don't really know what they need, we can make sure they get connected with a service that can support them.”
Opened in August this year as a pilot programme until November 2024, Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Chair Toni van Tonder hopes the safe space can inspire similar efforts across Tamaki Makaurau Auckland.
“It’s vital that safe spaces exist for our young people so they can access local support easily and independently and the board is keen to support programmes like this that support their wellbeing.”
Young people can access the safe space anytime the Takapuna Library is open and can speak to the counsellor on Mondays from 3.30 to 5.30pm.
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