Youthtown programmes now online and free

Youthtown Programmes for all ages 5-18 are now coming into homes for free. Youthtown Connect is being run across a number of online platforms, to encourage maximum participation. There's something new every afternoon and everyone is welcome.

• Your local Youthtown FaceBook : to suit our 5-12’s

• Your local Youthtown Instagram : to suit our 13-18’s

• YouTube : YouthtownConnect : something for everyone! 

• WeChat : a voice for our Chinese community

• Live Zoom spaces : safe, live spaces for each programme site

For more information, email: info@youthtown.org.nz

Information about RainbowYOUTH services - COVID-19 Response

For a list organisations of social services available for queer, gender-diverse & intersex young people across Aotearoa.

Youth workers are all working digitally, providing 1:1 support for young people and whanau around gender and sexuality by video call, phone or email. People can self refer via email support@ry.org.nz.

Join RainbowYOUTH’s Discord server where over 250 young people from around the country are connecting and chatting about a variety of topics ( staff moderate this). More info and guide for how to sign up in button below.

Information for young people about services that are available and key Covid-19 updates are available (updated regularly.

Family / Domestic Violence Support during lockdown

Shine Information

Specialist domestic violence service provider.

Women’s Refuge

New Zealand’s largest nation-wide organisation that supports and helps women and children experiencing family violence.

NZ Government official Unite Against COVID-19 website

For the latest, up-to-date information on COVID-19. 

Simple tips to keep yourself safe while at the supermarket and for when you get your groceries home. Includes:

• How to prepare so you can get in and out quickly

• Tips to keep 2 metres away from other shoppers and supermarket staff

• Hygiene tips for while you shop

• What to do with your groceries when you get home.

The Government and the Police are continuing to take family violence and sexual violence very seriously. Family violence and sexual violence services are essential services and will remain available, even if services need to be delivered in different ways. This info talks about what to do if you or someone else is in danger, and the helplines that are available for those needing help.

Refugees as Survivors New Zealand (RASNZ) COVID-19 Resources

There's also a RASNZ Support and Information Line for former refugees (0800 472 769, Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm) . They have also collated reliable information and resources on COVID-19, particularly relating to mental health and wellbeing, in different languages. Resources will be updated as new information becomes available.

A RASNZ developed fact sheet with eight tips for parents, including Keep calm, Listen, Reassure, Develop a routine and Connect. RASNZ has parenting tips available in multiple languages including:

• Arabic

• Hindi

• Spanish

• Tigrinya

• Burmese

New Zealand Red Cross - COVID 19 Response

Help is available through Visitor Care Manaaki Manuhiri for people on temporary visas who are in New Zealand and experiencing serious hardship due to COVID-19.

Having been identified as an ‘essential service’, Red Cross Migration staff and volunteers are now set up at home and providing services remotely to resettled (former refugee) families and individuals in eight settlement locations across Aotearoa. This Programme Update #1 covers Red Cross current priorities, updates on key programmes (such as Pathways to Settlement, Restoring Family Links), quick links to language support and who you can contact for more updates and support at this time, plus more.

NZ Red Cross COVID-19 Information Page

• What is COVID-19? Key information about what it is, the symptoms and what to do if you think you have the symptoms.

• What you can do to slow the spread? Covers simple steps you can take to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and well. Includes links to flyers and posters with info on how to reduce the spread of the virus, as well as information on getting your household ready, such as creating or updating an emergency household plan.

• Ministry of Health Easy Read Resources - translated into 11 languages: New Zealand Red Cross staff have translated the Ministry of Health Easy Read Resources into a range of languages – Arabic, Burmese, Farsi, Kinyarwanda, Nepali, Pashto, Somali, Spanish, Tamil, Tigrinya and Urdu.

• Keep in the know and learn more: Details of reliable sources of information: NZ Government website and Ministry of Health, plus includes a link to the Red Cross First Aid app to receive up-to-date information on COVID-19, provided by the Ministry of Health, straight to your phone. 

• Take action early: What to do if you become unwell.

• Connecting with people overseas: Restoring Family Links can help people who may have lost contact with family members due to Covid-19. If you know someone who could benefit from this service, click here.