RCYCT’s Answer to Lock-Down

The COVID-19 Lock-Down

The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything the majority of New Zealanders would have ever experienced before.

At at 11:59 pm on 25 March, New Zealand went in to  Lockdown completely and drastically changing life for all kiwis.

Social distancing and isolation are the new norm, and the effects on mental wellness has taken its toll.

National helpline organisations such as Youthline have seen a surge in the number of young Kiwis accessing its services during the Covid-19 pandemic, with a recent survey highlighting the negative impact Level 4 lockdown has had on their mental health.

The main reasons young Kiwis felt their mental health had been negatively impacted while in lockdown included feelings of isolation, missing face-to-face connection and those living in toxic environments.

Knowing full well the toll this lock-down would take on the wellness of young people, the Rotorua Community Youth Centre Trust immediately took action to completely change the way we provide support and development for young people over this time.

Our Support

The trust have continued to provide essential health services for young people, employment support and coaching has continued using technology to connect and profile young people and a range of youth development progammes and activities has provided young people with essential connection, learning and entertainment.

A range of fitness and well-being videos are broadcasted via the trusts Facebook page encouraging rangatahi to stay fit and healthy from within their bubble.

https://www.facebook.com/rotoruayouth/videos/2499889793656176/

Youth Development Programmes

A total of four unique and innovative youth development programmes have been written in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; to increase connectedness, build the confidence and resilience of young people; and to create a space/platform for young people to develop skills over the lockdown period.

Online Video Recording Programme – aims to build young people’s positive attitudes, communication skills, confidence and resiliency. giving rangatahi a platform to express/invent themselves in a new capacity, sharing encouraging messages, fun content and insight of what life is like in the day of a young person.

https://www.facebook.com/rotoruayouth/videos/221642992265325/

Game Build/Live Streaming Workshop – creates yet another fun and engaging mechanism to keep young people busy and create positive connections outside of the home and online in a safe environment over the lockdown period. This programme also develops teamwork, cooperation, communication; and by creating custom maps it will encourage craftsmanship, proficient time management and self-discipline

https://www.facebook.com/rotoruayouth/videos/237147047401954/

Online Music Workshop – aims to build young people’s confidence and resiliency; and increase and sharpen young people’s creative skills. It gives rangatahi a platform to express/invent themselves in a new capacity, sharing encouraging messages and insight of what life is like in the day of a young person.

https://www.facebook.com/rotoruayouth/videos/149397419828238/

Online Radio Workshop –  using the platform of our for youth by youth radio station POWER 88.3, this programme aims to build young people’s positive attitudes, communication skills, teamwork, thinking skills, confidence and resiliency, giving rangatahi a platform to express themselves and their key messages for their specific communities of peers, whānau and others in the broadcast area; connecting with their whānau and communities; exploring and expressing their ideas, opinions, culture, values and identity; remotely from home.

https://www.facebook.com/rotoruayouth/videos/1137183586629947/

Getting Involved

For more information on these programmes head to the Rotorua Youth Centres ‘Whats-On’ page.