School holidays are just around the corner, and more young people will now be able to attend a Spring holiday programme in Cromwell.

Cromwell Youth Trust manager Rhys Smith says the trust could see how difficult the past month has been for many families. 

They have now received funding from the Otago Community Trust that will reduce financial barriers for those wanting to attend programmes for young people in years 7-13.

Impacts of COVID and lockdowns have varying effects on local families, Rhys said, and those effects can become apparent immediately or over time. 

This has meant it has been quite a challenge for the trust to provide a balanced response, ensuring all families know that they can approach organisations such as Cromwell Youth Trust whenever they need.

“We have been able to gain financial support from Otago Community Trust through their COVID Hardship Fund for the upcoming Spring holiday programme, which is an extremely generous offering from them.

“This has enabled us to offer families the chance to reach out to Cromwell Youth Trust in a confidential and non-judgemental way, and request sponsorship of activities for their child.”

The aim, Rhys says, was to relieve financial pressure during a time of the year where families may be needing to spend more time at work earning money to pay bills.

“We do of course have limitations based on the funding received, but we have managed to successfully sponsor twenty young people already. 

“We encourage families to reach out if they are in need of support; we may already have booked out of some activities or reached our funding limit, but we do encourage them still to connect.”

Rhys says Cromwell youth centre The Hangout could operate during alert levels 1 and 2, and numbers attending had very quickly returned to pre-lockdown levels.

“Cromwell Youth Trust’s promise is to offer a wide range of youth-driven services, providing a safe and supportive environment where young people have opportunities to express themselves openly without judgement,” he says. 

“...to be treated as equals without segregation, to have the opportunity to participate without concern of financial pressure, to be heard without being silenced and to be guided by trusted and dedicated youth workers.”

Rhys says the Otago Community Trust funding had helped to reduce the concerns of financial pressure at this time for Cromwell families and youth.

Parents and caregivers can contact the team at Cromwell Youth Trust detailing the activities they want their child or teen to attend. The team will support wherever they can.

Further details are on the trust website at cromwellyouthtrust.co.nz

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