We have taken this exciting and innovative story and shared it nationally, presenting it at the ‘Youth Employability Aotearoa Symposium’.  The response we got was incredible and we have since had numerous requests for support from around the motu as to how people in their own communities can use our process as a guide or ‘how to’ to create a stronger and authentic bond between their businesses and youth/education sectors.

Following the Kirikiriroa based kaupapa, I am now leading the same kaupapa in Whaingaroa. Using the same community led process to build and unite ethical ‘youth safe’ businesses with an advocacy focused youth collective. We are aiming to hold our first business hui on 28th November to hold space for what a ‘Whaingaroa Youth Safe Business Collective’ might look like. By building the kaupapa around the Waikato and showing examples of how this can be done by capturing the story and sharing through our Waha and Lots of Little Fires, we are constantly connecting with, showing who and inspiring other communities to lead from within this space.

A third collaboration is driving forward and expanding on the ‘Whakatipu’ Course led by Outward Bound for rangatahi who are ready to start employment and have good support around them at home through youth services, school, community, whanau and or guardians. It also embraces local businesses, funders and mayors to align and awhi this powerful experience that has been proven incredibly successful when delivered with the wrap around care both pre and post course.

The WWP is proud to fully support this holistic approach and will fund two places in entirety out of a cohort of 14 rangatahi in 2024. These rangatahi will be linked to youth kaupapa with whom we have strong connections and can be sure that the pre and post pastoral care and transition will be delivered at the highest standard.

For more information contact Joe: joe@waikatowellbeingproject.com