Launch of VOYCE - Whakarongo Mai connects children in care
Launch of VOYCE - Whakarongo Mai connects children in care
and amplifies their voices
Source: Ministry of Social
Development
--
Care experienced children and young
people are celebrating the official 1 April launch of VOYCE
- Whakarongo Mai, their independent connection and advocacy
service, with a special event in Auckland this
afternoon.
"Helping set up VOYCE - Whakarongo Mai and see
it turn from an idea and a calling from children and young
people, into reality, has been a real journey and a
privilege," says Monique Goodhew, a member of the
service’s Board, and of the former Youth Advisory Panel to
the Minister for Social Development. "I look forward to
seeing how the service grows in the future; to connect and
walk alongside children and young people in care to make
sure they are listened to."
VOYCE - Whakarongo Mai means
‘Voice of the Young and Care Experienced - Listen to
me’.
More than 200 children, young people, their
caregivers and members of the care community are attending
the fun, child-focused launch event. Further special guests
include Associate Minister for Children Alfred Ngaro, who is
attending on behalf of Minister for Children Anne Tolley,
Chief Executive of the new Oranga Tamariki, Gráinne Moss,
and Children’s Commissioner Judge Andrew Becroft.
Representatives will also be attending from the Minister’s
former Youth Advisory Panel, and current Council, Te Whānau
Aroha.
Young people took a leading role in organising the
event, arranging the MC’ing and invitations to speak,
fantastic cultural performances, and special presentations
to VOYCE - Whakarongo Mai’s partners. All the partners
will be represented at the event; government, philanthropy
(The Tindall Foundation, Vodafone Foundation New Zealand,
Todd Foundation and Foundation North), NGOs (Dingwall Trust
and Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services) and most especially the
children and young people themselves.
"The launch of
VOYCE - Whakarongo Mai marks a milestone that in time will
have a huge impact on the care system in New Zealand," says
John McCarthy, The Tindall Foundation Manager and Chair of
the VOYCE - Whakarongo Mai Board. "Partnering with children
and young people, and organisations from across
philanthropy, the care sector, and government to design and
set up this much needed service is an initiative the Tindall
Foundation is proud to be part of."
The service will
connect children and young people in care through engaging
events and activities to develop a sense of community and
positive identity, and support them to advocate for their
needs. It will also ensure their collective experiences and
voices can influence Oranga Tamariki and the wider care
system.
"It is my hope and my belief that VOYCE -
Whakarongo Mai will help children and young people to
connect to their culture, their roots, and to each other,"
says Tupua Urlich, who is also a member of the service’s
Board, and of the former Youth Advisory Panel. "Connection
and culture is just so vital to children and young people,
and is something that a lot of kids in care miss out on
growing up, myself included, which is why I am so optimistic
about the service and its promise to our tamariki."
VOYCE
- Whakarongo Mai will be starting small and focusing
initially on building strong and sustainable connections
with children and young people. Before it can fully begin
its advocacy work, VOYCE - Whakarongo Mai must hear the
voices of children and young people in care
directly.
More formal phone and online advocacy functions
will be established later in 2017, with regional teams and
networks developed for connection and face-to-face advocacy
across the country in 2018 and beyond.
"Children and
young people fundamentally deserve to connect with each
other and be listened to, and New Zealand’s care system
has been crying out for a service like this for many years.
We are absolutely ecstatic that VOYCE - Whakarongo Mai is
now here to stand with young people, to ensure their voices
are heard and respected," says Tracie Shipton, Director of
Dingwall Trust and a key member of the team behind VOYCE -
Whakarongo Mai.
One of the core principles of the service
is that it will actively build a care experienced community
and promote a youth leadership approach. Over time, services
will be increasingly led, governed and delivered directly by
people with a care
experience.
ENDS