Christchurch Community Support Youth txt

Youthline has just confirmed it is to receive $25,000 thanks to Smiths City, the Naval Point Yacht Club and the Christchurch community.

The funds were raised at a charity yacht race event earlier this year, where members of the public were invited to purchase tickets to participate in the race with Youthline as the recipient charity. 

Funds from the event have been used to help set up Youthline’s free text service in Christchurch and other Youthline centre’s across the country and to train local volunteers to provide phone, text and email support to young people and their families throughout New Zealand. 

Youthline has offered a text service since 2004 and since becoming free in 2008 the number of texts received has trebled with over 2000 texts received every month. They expect that texts will soon outnumber calls, with up to 400 incoming texts on some days.

Youthline says young people frequently text the service with questions about sex, relationships, family and friends, while others use it as a way to check out the service before giving them a call. 

Youthline has been in Christchurch for nearly 40 years and has around 45 phone volunteers and with the help of funds from the event they hope to train 20 more text counsellors to support youth in the community.

The event was a great success says Youthline worker Tina Mackie, “Thank you to Smith City and the Naval Point Yacht Club for taking an interest in young people and their local community. The event was fantastic with 19 boats involved and around 200 people and local business supporting Youthline and the event.”

Young people can reach Youthline by calling 0800 37 66 33, email by clicking here and free text 234.