Young people establish Youth Service in Wellington City
Free health care, peer support and info services will be available to Wellington young people through the new Youth
Service ‘Evolve’, which will be officially opened on Thursday, 3 June.
“Finally, Wellington’s young people will have a holistic youth service providing activities, health care provision and a
safe place for all young people to be,” Service Manager Simone Piatti said.
“This project is the result of four years of hard work, thousands of volunteer hours and a really strong and stubborn
commitment by Wellington young people. The outcome is a service that will both help and empower their peers.”
The project is a youth-owned and youth-led community initiative that received funding for establishment from the
Ministry of Health in 2003. The Service also has a memorandum of understanding with Te Atiawa, the Mana Whenua of
Wellington represented by the Wellington Tenths Trust, who are in full support of this initiative.
“The main aim of the service is to address the wellbeing needs of Wellington’s young people therefore enhancing their
quality of life and reducing social inequity” Ms Piatti said.
The service employs 13 peer support workers - young people who help run and facilitate the use of the service by other
young people - as well as a doctor and a nurse. Peer supporter Gemma Scott, 19, said the peer support workers had
received training but would act mainly as friends and mentors rather than counsellors - serious problems would be
referred to specialists.
The official launch will happen at: Evolve, 5 Eva Street (off Dixon St) Wellington Thursday 3 June at 4pm A brief
Powhiri will be followed by the official opening of the centre by Hon. Annette King, Minister of Health. Entertainment
will be provided.