🚨 Major Announcement - You won't want to miss this!

Kia Ora! We're thrilled to bring you some news that's too exciting to keep under wraps any longer! 

The past 18 months have been a remarkable journey, marked by inspiring achievements, significant growth, and impactful initiatives, aimed at empowering young people who are essential in shaping our future.
 
Erika jumped in as General Manager with the goal of taking TYDT into the future. This meant crafting a fresh strategy and vision, as well as developing new initiatives that were impactful, measurable, and meaningful for young people. We've always held the belief that the best way to support rangatahi is by engaging with them directly. This led us to partner with a group of students from Otumoetai College on our Safe and Sound Project an initiative funded by Tauranga City Council. Through this project their insights and feedback were not only instrumental, but the collaboration has fundamentally changed our approach to our mission, refining our strategies, and resulting in two innovative outcomes: the establishment of a Youth Advisory Panel and the appointment of our Youth Ambassador, Gabby. Despite only just turning 15 years old, Gabby has already made remarkable contributions in her paid position with us, including a practice pitch to potential funders for a project she's deeply passionate about. Meet Gabby in the video below as we celebrated the 5 ways to wellbeing during mental health awareness week.

Throughout this journey, our mission has evolved not just in terms of our growth, but also in how we connect with young people, ensuring we are not just in step with the times, but ahead of the curve. 

And now, for the drumroll please…..

We're excited to announce we are rebranding Tauranga Youth Development Team (TYDT) to Youth Voices Action (YVA)! This change is more than just a new name, it is a commitment to empowering young voices to lead the charge in creating a place that we can all be proud of.

YVA stands for action, for advocacy, and for amplifying the ideas and passions of rangatahi to make a real impact for the next generation. 
 
This rebranding isn't just about us. It's about creating a place where young people can safely express their ideas, concerns, and collaborate across diverse backgrounds and have conversations with different young people who don’t all think the same way. Our youth advisory panel is at the heart of this transformation, driving our organisation forward with their shared vision and passion.

We're set to empower rangatahi to shape their futures to make a lasting difference. Over the next few weeks, we'll unveil our new website and introduce you to our incredible team. We have some exciting events and initiatives being developed by our youth advisory panel, and we’ll be reaching out with more details soon! 

Want to get involved or learn more about this exciting journey? Drop us a line. We're eager to collaborate and make great things happen together.
 
Here's to inspiring, empowering, and taking action together for rangatahi. 

Huge thank you to Tauranga City Council for funding this important initiative. Through the journey of this project, we gained invaluable insights and lessons that have significantly shaped our understanding and approach to youth engagement and support. Here are the key learnings:

·      The Importance of Safe Spaces: We learned that young people place immense value on having safe, inclusive spaces where they can share their thoughts and feelings openly. Such environments are crucial for their mental and emotional wellbeing and for fostering a sense of community and belonging.

·      Diverse Perspectives Enrich Learning: Engaging with a wide range of views and experiences is not just a preference for young people; it's a necessity. It aids in their personal growth and development, helping them form well-rounded opinions and understand the world from multiple angles.

·      Active Listening is Key: One of the most profound lessons was the power of actively listening to the youth we aim to serve. This project highlighted the importance of understanding their needs, desires, and challenges directly from them, rather than making assumptions.

·      Flexibility and Adaptability: The project taught us the value of being flexible and adaptable in our approach. As we gathered feedback and insights, it became clear that our strategies and initiatives needed to evolve to more effectively meet the needs of rangatahi.

·      Youth Leadership and Empowerment: We saw first-hand the positive impact of empowering young individuals by involving them in leadership roles and decision-making processes. This not only boosts their confidence but also ensures that our efforts are truly youth-centric.

·      Collaboration Amplifies Impact: Collaborating with other organisations, schools, and community groups was instrumental in extending our reach and enhancing the effectiveness of our initiatives. We learned that partnerships are vital in creating a more comprehensive support system for young people.

·      Continuous Learning and Improvement: Finally, this project reinforced the idea that our work is never done. There's always more to learn, and every feedback loop is an opportunity for improvement. We're committed to staying curious, open-minded, and proactive in our pursuit of better supporting the youth.