106 | COMMUNITY Youth Hub Christchurch T T Kim Newth Transforming the lives of Canty youth Complementing the units will be an office block delivering wraparound youth support services, with tenants including Te Tahi Youth (formerly 298 Youth Health), Youthline, Voyce and many more. Structural | Mechanical | Electrical | Fire | Civil | Hydraulic | Acoustic | Sustainability 03 366 1777 | engineering@pfc.co.nz | pfc.co.nz Developing communities throughout the South Island Field Studio work on a diverse range of projects. From creative residential builds to large commercial projects, to generating projects that have a positive impact on the community, both here in Ōtautahi Christchurch and further a eld. For your next architectural project, get in touch with Field Studio. www.lewisbradford.com Lewis Bradford is proud to be providing the structural engineering expertise for this important new development. Congratulations to The Youth Hub Trust and the rest of the project team on the excellent progress achieved to date. Aotearoa’s first purpose-built Youth Hub is taking shape on site in Ōtautahi Christchurch, with the city’s business community invited to get behind this exciting project aiming to transform the lives of Canterbury’s young people. Stage One construction (Naylor Love) of Te Hurihanga ō Rangitahi/The Youth Hub is well underway at 109 Salisbury Street and due for completion by the end of July 2024. In total, 22 single bedroom units are being built as emergency and transitional accommodation for young people aged 18-24 years who are actively looking for education, training or work. They will be able to live in the units for up to 18 months with supervision and support, as a transitional step into rental housing. Each unit will have its own study space and ensuite bathroom, with tenants sharing kitchen, dining, living and laundry facilities. Complementing the units will be an office block delivering wraparound youth support services, with tenants including Te Tahi Youth (formerly 298 Youth Health), Youthline, Voyce and many more. The Youth Hub Trust has launched a ‘Sponsor a bedroom’ initiative this year to ensure rooms can be furnished in time for opening next year. Local businesses who want to help can donate $5000 per room, (enquiries to fundraising@youthhubchch.org.nz). “What we really need now is capital up front,” says Dame Sue Bagshaw, who chairs the Youth Hub Trust. “We encourage local businesses to take this on and become a part of this world first facility in Christchurch to show that we are a community that cares and wants the best for all of our young people. Together, we can do it.” Businesses can also help with the fitout of the hub’s open plan office area and meeting rooms. “It would be wonderful if we could find a sponsor for our AV/teleconferencing equipment and setup.” Dame Bagshaw has long been a champion for the city’s youth, having founded the 198 Youth Health Centre back in 1995 to provide free youth health, wellbeing and employment services. It was renamed Youth 298 after the Canterbury earthquakes when the centre moved to Barbadoes Street. “After starting Youth 298, we found that young people were often finding it hard to stay employed as they were having to change where they lived every few weeks and often the public transport wasn’t there for them either. By providing supported housing at the Youth Hub, our goal is to help break that cycle and give them a turning point. No matter what their background, this is where they will be able to start again.” As she observes, Christchurch’s young people have been through so much since 2010-11 earthquakes and many have experienced adversity. On top of this are pressures that come from social media, as well as problems with alcohol, drugs, peer pressure and bullying. “What I think this Youth Hub will do is make sure no young people are left behind. It is in everyone’s best interest to make sure all our young people are healthy and able to contribute.” She finds it frustrating that some people still choose to see the younger generation as lazy when often there are many barriers in the way of employment. Youth Hub Christchurch will support young people to overcome these obstacles. New Zealand’s largest survey of young people, Youth-19, found many young people also had difficulties accessing health services, many of which were not fit for purpose. The hub plans to deliver up to 8,000 youth appointments a year to plug the gaps. “Our young people need a community that supports them.” Stage One is being funded by the Government ($18.1m) and donations, with support also from Anglican Care who gifted use of the central city site. “We would love other philanthropic foundations to match the generous donations we have had to date from the Rātā Foundation ($500,000) and the Wayne Francis Charitable Trust ($1m).” Stage Two includes a planned apartment block, arts and recreation facilities, a public café, education and training areas, along with rooftop greenhouses. “This is a really important part of the whole project too as it’s the creative and recreational facilities that will attract young people, keep them off the streets and give them something to do. Again, we would welcome interest from businesses who could contribute to this next vital phase.” Support Youth Hub Christchurch through fundraising platforms Givealittle and the Christchurch Foundation.
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