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Chill for mental wellbeing

“Children these days lead jam-packed lives and by the end of the school term, they can be pretty tired so we’re consciously including less busy days in our holiday programmes,” says Adelle Singer, OSCAR Manager, who heads up our holiday programme team. “We think it’s important we have some time that is more relaxed, not so structured and heavily organised so children can decide for themselves how they spend their time. I love it when I see kids reading a book or just sitting together c...

Young learners climbing high

Our early learning education team has been boosted with a specialist support teacher through a Covid Urgent Response fund and our children are definitely reaping the benefits. Nisha Rani, a qualified early childhood teacher, joined our learning centre in Napier at the beginning of this year with funding through a Ministry of Education pandemic-prompted Urgent Response Funding Scheme. She has been developing behavioural plans and strategies for children with specific needs, providing support to t...

Growing great leaders

Two of our team got a huge learning opportunity and career boost when YMCA HB joined forces with Directions Youth Health Centre to give youth they work with daily outdoor experiences around the region over the summer holidays. Shannon Singer and Zach Furniss are EIT social work students and, as OSCAR Assistants, work on our holiday programmes and in after-school care when they can around their studies. When Olivia Pierce, our newly appointed Youth Development Manager, asked them to join her and ...

Learning to give back

Building strong communities is part of our mission. We’re always looking for fun ways to teach children the value of giving to others and Christmas gave us a great opportunity. “Many of our children are in care full time and have limited opportunities to be involved with community-based groups like scouts or girl guides so don’t necessarily get the chance for give-back activities,” says Adelle Singer, OSCAR Manager (our afterschool and holiday programme service). “We’re always lookin...

Abseiling

Upcoming Abseil session Wednesday 8th July 2020 at Sturms Gully, Bluff Hill.  Have a go at abseiling these school holidays.  Click here for more info...