Youthline
  • Get Help
    • Counselling >
      • Phone Counselling
      • Text Counselling
      • Web Chat Counselling
      • Email Counselling
      • Video Counselling
      • Face to Face Counselling
    • Mentoring >
      • Face to Face Mentoring
      • Young Parent Payment
      • Youth Payment
      • N.E.E.T
      • Online, Text & Phone Mentoring
    • Employment
    • Parents and Whānau
    • Community Organisations
    • Schools
    • NZ Family Service Directory
  • Learn & Grow
    • Volunteer >
      • Volunteer Auckland
      • Volunteer Palmerston North
      • Volunteer Wellington
      • Volunteer Christchurch
      • Volunteer Dunedin
      • Volunteer Southland
      • Volunteer Nelson Tasman
      • Volunteer Malborough
    • Good2Great
    • Programmes
    • Training
    • Info and Resources >
      • Best Practice
      • Info for Media and Students
      • Research & Policy Development
    • Action Education
  • Contribute
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Fundraise
    • Events
    • Partnerships
    • Youthline Store
  • Advice Hub
    • Stories
    • Body >
      • Body Image
      • Sex
      • Abuse
      • Growth & Puberty
      • Drugs
      • Alcohol
    • Social >
      • Conflict
      • Relationships
      • Friendships
      • Peer Pressure
      • Bullying
      • Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity
    • Mind >
      • Self-Confidence
      • Suicide
      • Grief & Loss
      • Identity
      • Anger
      • Depression
      • Anxiety & Panicking
      • Self-Harm
      • Stress
    • Beyond School >
      • Goal Setting & Decision Making
      • Employment
      • Student Life
      • Independence
      • Managing Money
      • Our Society
      • Legal Help
  • About Us
    • Our Centres
    • Work With Us
    • ASB Partnership
Free call 0800 376 633 | Free text 234 | Webchat
Donate Need Help?

Stories

Lara Watson

6/19/2019

1 Comment

 
Picture
A trip to Zambia was Lara Watson’s first foray into volunteering. She had just turned 18 and chose to defer university for a year to teach children in Zambia.

​“I’d always wanted to do my bit to make the world a better place. I’m a Christian so serving others, helping people thrive and spreading love is a big part of my faith.”

She returned from Zambia and began studying psychology at Canterbury University. Having long aspired to be a buddy for Kidsline, she was excited to discover Youthline at the Student Volunteer Expo and for the last two years has been volunteering as a solo phone counsellor and mentor to new trainees.

“Lara throws herself into anything extra that’s going - staffing our outreach stalls, coming to every counselling skills extension training, developing training resources, and representing us at a Youth Workers hui”, says Youthline Central South Island Manager Trystan Swain.

Now 21, Lara’s dream is to one day become a Clinical Psychologist and she says Youthline is helping to pave that path.

“It’s a very competitive field to get into but Youthline has given me so much experience. It’s made me realise that I want it even more.”

That experience was tested on 15 March 2019 when two mosques in Christchurch came under terrorist attack during Friday prayer.

“I was booked in for a shift that night, and my trainee and I were the only volunteers rostered on across New Zealand. We cancelled our shift as we didn't feel safe going into the office across town, and were understandably emotional. I asked our centre manager to contact the other managers across NZ to try to rally up some volunteers from other cities, and in a matter of an hour or so the roster was full right up until we closed our regular service at midnight! It amazed me the level of support I felt from other Youthliners.”

Lara wants young people to know that that level of support is there for them too.

“We actually do want to talk to you and listen to you. It can seem a bit anonymous and weird calling into a helpline but we’re not robots, we’re people. I feel so honoured when someone tells me they haven’t told anyone else or share their stories and experiences that carry so much hurt. It’s so brave.”

One of the most rewarding moments of Lara’s Youthline career was making her first suicide intervention, not long after going solo.

“He said he wanted to be safe, but didn’t know how. He shared a lot of his emotions with me and revealed his plans to end his life. He called in with his husband so I just kept affirming that, that he really cared about his husband and his husband cared about him. We were able to make a new plan for them to drive to the nearest A&E. They were both so grateful to me for keeping him safe.”

Lara says Youthline has taught her how to listen.

“When you think about counselling you might think it’s someone telling you what to do and giving you advice. But being a good counsellor is actually just being alongside someone and listening to them. Not a wise guide, but a listener, a friend. This is something I’ve taken into my own relationships.”

​If you'd like to volunteer with us, click here to get started!

1 Comment

Mac Jordan

6/19/2019

1 Comment

 
Picture
Mac Jordan is a self-described altruist.

​“My main interest in volunteering is that there is no ulterior motive. For me, it’s about providing value. The act in itself is rewarding enough. Stopping someone from ending their life is a very powerful thing to do.”

The 23 year old Psychology and Fine Arts Honours student has volunteered for Youthline Auckland Central for the last 2 and a half years. He recently joined the facilitator team and mentors every week, providing support and feedback for trainees on the helpline.

It’s been hugely rewarding to be able to strengthen others, provide support so they can grow, and deliver feedback in a way that further facilitates that growth.”

Mac says that growth is vital to meeting demand and providing excellent service.  

“Youth suicide rates in New Zealand are absurd, particularly among Maori and Pasifika. Based on personal experience clients do seem to respond really well to us.”

But, he says, having enough volunteers is a constant challenge. Youthline and the volunteer sector in general need more people willing to put their hand up.

“The tricky thing about Mental Health is that it’s naturally uncomfortable. You’re constantly out of your comfort zone. It’s like being a firefighter sitting in your truck waiting for a fire. And it can make you feel anxious.”

And that’s why self care, and good mentoring is vital.

“We need to have enough volunteers, facilitators and mentors to ensure we continue to provide a good service. Volunteering for a Helpline can be intimidating, but the training process is extensive and the Youthline community are incredibly supportive. Youthline is an environment for growth and challenge is opportunity.”

​​If you'd like to volunteer with us, click here to get started!

1 Comment

Marea Nicolle

6/19/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Volunteering is in Marea Nicolle’s blood.

​
Her grandparents volunteered for Lifeline in Invercargill in the 1980s and her parents, both teachers, regularly cared for foster children alongside three of their own.

The 37 year old learning and development coach has been volunteering for Youthline since she was 21, and is Youthline Wellington’s longest serving Group Supervisor.

“I’d heard great things about the organisation and was passionate about supporting young people and making a difference. I felt like there was something missing in my life. I wanted to be part of a community.”

And Marea says that’s exactly what Youthline is.

“When I was quite sick 5 years ago, and when I had my baby, the most supportive people alongside my family were Youthline volunteers. It’s been such a big part of my life, I hate the thought of ever leaving! I love it and get so much out of it, the personal connections as well as the great training and support. I think that’s why I’ve stayed for so long. I love supporting others and I love my supervision sessions, learning from other people and hearing other perspectives. The volunteers are amazing people, they have so much going on in their lives, but still make time to help other people.”

She says Youthline gives her a higher purpose.

​“Supporting our youth is so important, I really believe in what we do. It’s about being a listening ear, being able to point people in the right direction with referrals, being supportive and reassuring. 

Marea has seen a lot change in 16 years.

“From when I first started to now, the issues have really changed. Anxiety and mental health come up a lot more and there’s a lot more risk assessment and checking. It wasn’t so prevalent back then. Mental health wasn’t so out there.

“I think the internet has really changed things. For example, before internet and cell phones, kids could get away from bullying but now it’s around them all the time.

So it can be nice to talk to someone who doesn’t know you, can’t see you, to have that anonymous side. And Youthline is really working. It’s a great place for young people to turn to if they don’t have other avenues or even if they do. It doesn’t have to be a major issue, they can ring us no matter what, nothing is too small.”

​If you'd like to volunteer with us, click here to get started!
0 Comments

Linda Vernon

6/19/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Youthline volunteer Linda Vernon knows how it feels to be unhappy.
“In my late teens and early 20s I had a really difficult time with my mental health, and struggled with depression and anxiety. Through my recovery I had this idea of giving service to my community - that it would be beneficial for me and my wellbeing. And I liked the idea of counselling and helping people.”

​But although Linda knew Youthline was there, she had never used the helpline herself.


“I think because of the kind of space I was in, I felt like no one would understand me. I was scared to reach out, like a lot of young people - because they don’t know what to expect or they think they’re going to be told what to do or told that they’re crazy. 

​I wish that I had known how client centred Youthline is. We don’t tell people who contact us what to do or how to live their lives or how they should feel, we’re actually there for them.”


​Linda has been a volunteer since 2011 as a Helpline Counsellor, Governance Board Member, Personal Development Facilitator and for the last two years has been Clinical Liaison for Youthline Wellington.

She says its important, especially for young people, that their mental health is normalised.

“It’s ok to not be ok. It doesn’t mean you’re crazy or there’s anything wrong with you. This is what I always aim to get across. When young people call in and want things to be fixed, sometimes it’s more about getting them to accept how they’re feeling. If you’re not in a good space and fretting about it, it’s going to make it worse.”

Outside Youthline, Linda facilitates rehabilitation programmes. She is also studying part-time for a post-graduate psychology degree. She says Youthline has helped shape her career.

​“It’s helped me so, so much. One of the biggest things I’ve learned is how to be reflective, also the giving and receiving of feedback. In my professional life, those things are so important and I’m so thankful to have had such a solid grounding.”

​​If you'd like to volunteer with us, click here to get started!

0 Comments

Celebrating national volunteer week 2019

6/19/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
This week is National Volunteer Week 2019. It celebrates the “collective contribution of the 1.2 million volunteers who enrich Aotearoa New Zealand”. 

Hundreds of volunteers across New Zealand help make Youthline what it is. They give their time in the office, at events, on our Governance Boards, and through our Youth Advisory Groups. 

250 of those volunteers give their time, energy and best listening ears to Youthline as Helpline Counsellors and for that we are super proud and thankful! We know that without them, there would be no Youthline.  

Last year our volunteers collectively spent 12,137 hours in our Hubs standing alongside young Kiwis, reflecting, affirming and helping them grow. 

“More than 60% of our Helpline is staffed by volunteers, by members of our community who want to give their time to connect with young people when they need it most, it absolutely blows me away. National Volunteer Week is always a time for me to pause and reflect on how lucky we are as an organisation, and as communities, that we are surrounded by such giving individuals,” says Youthline CEO Shae Ronald. 

To mark the occasion we have chosen to celebrate four outstanding volunteers from around the country.

Lara Watson

​A trip to Zambia was Lara Watson’s first foray into volunteering. She had just turned 18 and chose to defer university for a year to teach children in Zambia.

Lara volunteers for Youthline in Christchurch. 

“Lara throws herself into anything extra that’s going - staffing our outreach stalls, coming to every counselling skills extension training, developing training resources, and representing us at a Youth Workers hui”, says Youthline Central South Island Manager Trystan Swain.

Now 21, Lara’s dream is to one day become a Clinical Psychologist and she says Youthline is helping to pave that path.

“It’s a very competitive field to get into but Youthline has given me so much experience. It’s made me realise that I want it even more.”

That experience was tested on 15 March 2019 when two mosques in Christchurch came under terrorist attack during Friday prayer. 

“I was booked in for a shift that night, and my trainee and I were the only volunteers rostered on across New Zealand. We cancelled our shift as we didn't feel safe going into the office across town, and were understandably emotional. I asked our centre manager to contact the other managers across NZ to try to rally up some volunteers from other cities, and in a matter of an hour or so the roster was full right up until we closed our regular service at midnight! It amazed me the level of support I felt from other Youthliners.”

Lara wants young people to know that that level of support is there for them too.
Read Lara's Story

Linda Vernon

​Youthline volunteer Linda Vernon knows how it feels to be unhappy.

“In my late teens and early 20s I had a really difficult time with my mental health, and struggled with depression and anxiety. Through my recovery I had this idea of giving service to my community - that it would be beneficial for me and my wellbeing. And I liked the idea of counselling and helping people.”

But although Linda knew Youthline was there, she had never used the helpline herself.

“I think because of the kind of space I was in, I felt like no one would understand me. I was scared to reach out, like a lot of young people - because they don’t know what to expect or they think they’re going to be told what to do or told that they’re crazy. I wish that I had known how client centred Youthline is. We don’t tell people who contact us what to do or how to live their lives or how they should feel, we’re actually there for them.”
Read Linda's Story

Marea Nicolle

​Volunteering is in Marea Nicolle’s blood.

Her grandparents volunteered for Lifeline in Invercargill in the 1980s and her parents, both teachers, regularly cared for foster children alongside three of their own.

The 37 year old learning and development coach has been volunteering for Youthline since she was 21, and is Youthline Wellington’s longest serving Group Supervisor.

“I’d heard great things about the organisation and was passionate about supporting young people and making a difference. I felt like there was something missing in my life. I wanted to be part of a community.”

And Marea says that’s exactly what Youthline is. 
Read Marea's Story

Mac Jordan

​Mac Jordan is a self-described altruist.

“My main interest in volunteering is that there is no ulterior motive. For me, it’s about providing value. The act in itself is rewarding enough. Stopping someone from ending their life is a very powerful thing to do.”
 
The 23 year old Psychology and Fine Arts Honours student has volunteered for Youthline Auckland Central for the last 2 and a half years. He recently joined the facilitator team and mentors every week, providing support and feedback for trainees on the helpline.

It’s been hugely rewarding to be able to strengthen others, provide support so they can grow, and deliver feedback in a way that further facilitates that growth.”

Mac says that growth is vital to meeting demand and providing excellent service.  

“Youth suicide rates in New Zealand are absurd, particularly among Maori and Pasifika. Based on personal experience clients do seem to respond really well to us.”
Read Mac's Story
0 Comments

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    May 2020
    October 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    October 2017

    Categories

    All
    Anxiety
    Bullying
    Data
    Girl Power
    IBM
    OECD
    Outcomes
    Pressure
    School
    Self Acceptance
    Self-acceptance
    Social Enterprise
    Stephen Bell
    Stress
    Students
    Studying
    Youth Health
    Youthline Wellington

    RSS Feed

About Youthline

About us
​​Our centres
Career opportunities
​Media enquiries
Partnerships
​Privacy Policy
Picture

Contact us

Free call 0800 376 633
Free text 234
talk@youthline.co.nz
Webchat

Complaints Procedure

Subscribe to our newsletter

* indicates required
© COPYRIGHT 2017. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Get Help
    • Counselling >
      • Phone Counselling
      • Text Counselling
      • Web Chat Counselling
      • Email Counselling
      • Video Counselling
      • Face to Face Counselling
    • Mentoring >
      • Face to Face Mentoring
      • Young Parent Payment
      • Youth Payment
      • N.E.E.T
      • Online, Text & Phone Mentoring
    • Employment
    • Parents and Whānau
    • Community Organisations
    • Schools
    • NZ Family Service Directory
  • Learn & Grow
    • Volunteer >
      • Volunteer Auckland
      • Volunteer Palmerston North
      • Volunteer Wellington
      • Volunteer Christchurch
      • Volunteer Dunedin
      • Volunteer Southland
      • Volunteer Nelson Tasman
      • Volunteer Malborough
    • Good2Great
    • Programmes
    • Training
    • Info and Resources >
      • Best Practice
      • Info for Media and Students
      • Research & Policy Development
    • Action Education
  • Contribute
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Fundraise
    • Events
    • Partnerships
    • Youthline Store
  • Advice Hub
    • Stories
    • Body >
      • Body Image
      • Sex
      • Abuse
      • Growth & Puberty
      • Drugs
      • Alcohol
    • Social >
      • Conflict
      • Relationships
      • Friendships
      • Peer Pressure
      • Bullying
      • Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity
    • Mind >
      • Self-Confidence
      • Suicide
      • Grief & Loss
      • Identity
      • Anger
      • Depression
      • Anxiety & Panicking
      • Self-Harm
      • Stress
    • Beyond School >
      • Goal Setting & Decision Making
      • Employment
      • Student Life
      • Independence
      • Managing Money
      • Our Society
      • Legal Help
  • About Us
    • Our Centres
    • Work With Us
    • ASB Partnership