Steady growth has led the Y South & Mid Canterbury to expand to new premises at 7-9 Sophia Street to accommodate their youth and community development (Y&CD) staff, while retaining their current premises at 23 Butler Street.

“Due to increases in our youth and community development, Y•Drive driver education and licence support, and employment pathways initiatives we have quite literally outgrown our Butler Street premises. The relocation of our Y&CD staff to Sophia Street means that the majority of our community-facing services are housed in a central, youth-friendly site,” said Keith Shaw, Y South & Mid Canterbury Chief Executive Officer.

The Y’s youth work, youth development, and PARS (play, active recreation and sport) staff will now operate from Sophia Street, whilst the 23 Butler Street premises will continue as a centre for education, employment pathways and Y•Drive driver licence education and support programmes, as well as continuing to function as the Y’s main organisational office.

Christina Cullimore, Senior Manager Youth & Community Development, observed that 10 years ago the Y was primarily an education provider with just 4 full- and part-time staff working in youth work and Kiwisport provision. Y&CD now consists of 12 full- and part-time staff working across a wide range of programmes and services that provide top-of-the cliff support to both rangatahi and their parents and whānau, as well as youth development opportunities, Rainbow support, and intensive youth work support.

A benefit of the new premises is the opportunity to create a youth-friendly space where rangatahi can feel especially welcome – to meet with Y staff but also to just “come on in and make this space their own”, according to Cullimore.

“Our vision is that over time this becomes a youth hub or one-stop shop, where rangatahi can come to meet up with our Y youth workers, but also with other providers of health, counselling, career guidance and other services. We describe this vision as Connection – Tūhononga, Collaboration – Mahi Tahi, and Community – Hapori.”

“We’d also like to acknowledge the support of the Community Trust of Mid and South Canterbury who have granted us $30,000 over three years towards operating costs of this new facility.”

In a historical “full circle” coincidence, the new Y premises on Sophia Street is situated right next door to the building which housed the original YMCA meeting rooms in 1907.

A mihi whakatau was held on 3 July in conjunction with local iwi representatives to bless the building and welcome staff, clients, and community stakeholders onsite.