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Dunedin - South Otago > Community Health and Social Services >

Otago Youth Wellness Trust

Social Service

We are not an emergency service.  If your issue is urgent call 111
  • Need to talk? (1737 – free call or text) any time for support from a trained counsellor
  • The Depression Helpline (0800 111 757) 757 or free text 4202 (to talk to a trained counsellor about how you are feeling or to ask any questions)
  • Healthline (0800 611 116)
  • Youthline (0800 376 633)
  • The Lowdown Text 5626 for support to help young people recognise and understand depression or anxiety.
  • Alcohol Drug Helpline (0800 787 797)

Today

8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Description

The Otago Youth Wellness Trust (OYWT) is a community-based service for Dunedin City that works alongside rangatahi, and their family/whānau/caregivers to create positive change.

OYWT provides a free wraparound casework service for rangatahi (aged 11-18), who need support for issues affecting their wellbeing. We help strengthen what is working well in the lives of rangatahi, whilst addressing the issues that may be impacting negatively on them. These can include health, mental health, education, wellbeing and justice.

Our wraparound service is comprehensive, flexible and responsive to the specific needs of each individual rangatahi.  Recognising each rangatahi is unique, we adopt a one-on-one casework approach, identifying strengths and needs, and build a relationship of trust with each of our clients.

We respect every rangatahi as an individual, and focus our service on improving their wellbeing. The benefits for the rangatahi we support can include:

  • Strengthening family/whānau/caregiver relationships
  • Engaging and achieving in education
  • Improving physical and mental health
  • Reducing risk factors (e.g. drug and alcohol use, offending, and suicide risk)
  • Re-engaging in their community, including whānau, school and the wider community they live in. 

Staff

Our staff are fully qualified professionals trained in several disciplines including Social Work, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Teaching and Youth work

Ages

Youth / Rangatahi, Child / Tamariki

How do I access this service?

Referral

Our service has an open referral system for rangatahi aged 11-18 years, with multiple needs.
A referral can be made by anyone.  In the first instance, please call us to talk to a practice leader to ensure your referral will meet our criteria.  We may also be able to advise a better suppport for you or your rangtahi.
On referral, rangatahi are screened, assessed and matched with a qualified caseworker. A holistic and individualised plan is developed to address their identified needs.

Anyone can access

Referrals are accepted from anyone, including rangatahi, whānau, professional services and schools

Mobile community provider

We are out and about and will go to where our rangatahi feel safest.  We also have facilities at our office space, including a sensory room and other small rooms for consultations.

Home visit provider

Website / App

www.oywt.org.nz

Contact us

Phone 03 474 9547
Email: Administrator@oywt.org.nz

Fees and Charges Categorisation

Free

Fees and Charges Description

This is a free service.

Hours

8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Mon – Fri 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Public Holidays: Closed Waitangi Day (6 Feb), Otago Anniversary (24 Mar), Good Friday (18 Apr), Easter Sunday (20 Apr), Easter Monday (21 Apr), ANZAC Day (25 Apr), King's Birthday (2 Jun), Matariki (20 Jun), Labour Day (27 Oct).
Christmas: Open 23 Dec — 24 Dec. Closed 25 Dec — 26 Dec. Open 27 Dec. Closed 28 Dec — 29 Dec. Open 30 Dec — 31 Dec. Closed 1 Jan — 2 Jan. Open 3 Jan. Closed 4 Jan — 5 Jan. Open 6 Jan — 10 Jan.

Services Provided

Wraparound Casework

Casework is rangatahi focused, family/whanau/caregiver centred, mobile, flexible and delivered in the community. OYWT casework is based on building relationships and supports rangatahi to focus on risk and protective factors and to strengthen what is currently working well.

Service types: Advocacy, Life skills, Education and training, Family / whānau support, Information & support, LGBTQIA+ support, Pacific People, Social and group activities, Social work, Wellness / healthy lifestyle, Youth mentoring / development.

Casework is rangatahi focused, family/whānau/caregiver centred, mobile, flexible and delivered in the community.

OYWT casework is based on building relationships and supports rangatahi to focus on risk and protective factors and to strengthen what is currently working well.

School Attendance Service

OYWT provides the School Attendance Service working to improve the attendance and engagement of 6-16 year olds in the greater Dunedin area. Although all tamariki and rangatahi aged between 6 and 16 years must be enrolled in education, usually in school, we know that attending school regularly can be a challenge for some tamariki and rangatahi and their family/whanau and caregivers. Having an education generally means better life outcomes and at OYWT we help young people to: Enrol or re-engage in education and learning Stay in education and achieve academic qualifications Transition from education to training or employment

OYWT provides the School Attendance Service working to improve the attendance and engagement of 6-16 year olds in the greater Dunedin area.

Although all tamariki and rangatahi aged between 6 and 16 years must be enrolled in education, usually in school, we know that attending school regularly can be a challenge for some tamariki and rangatahi and their family/whānau and caregivers.

Having an education generally means better life outcomes and at OYWT we help young people to:

  • Enrol or re-engage in education and learning
  • Stay in education and achieve academic qualifications
  • Transition from education to training or employment
Education and training

We work alongside rangatahi to assist them to transition between schools (intermediate to high school etc) and to re-engage in learning that suits their needs e.g. alternative education, training.

  • Life skills

We work alongside rangatahi to assist them to transition between schools (intermediate to high school etc) and to re-engage in learning that suits their needs e.g. alternative education, training.

Advocacy

We advocate on behalf of our clients to ensure they have access to the services and support they need. We also contribute on a national level where possible, inputting into Government policy consultations; select committee consideration of new legislation and review of current activities.

We advocate on behalf of our clients to ensure they have access to the services and support they need.  We also contribute on a national level where possible, inputting into Government policy consultations; select committee consideration of new legislation and review of current activities.

Social work

Our caseworkers are all performing work of a social work-type nature. All of our staff are professionally trained, and they have registration in one of several fields, including social work, teaching, nursing, occupational therapy and youth work.

Our caseworkers are all performing work of a social work-type nature.  All of our staff are professionally trained, and they have registration in one of several fields, including social work, teaching, nursing, occupational therapy and youth work.

Disability Assistance

Wheelchair access, Quiet, low sensory environment

Additional Details

Phone, Speak with women / wahine, LGBTQIA+ friendly

Travel Directions

20 Parry Street West - off Anzac Avenue into Minerva Street and then follow around to the end of the street, before the cul-de-sac.

Parking

There are 60 minute parks in front of our building and we have a carpark to the side of our building which sometimes has space available..

Region

Dunedin - South Otago

Contact Details

20 Parry Street West, Dunedin

Dunedin - South Otago

8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

20 Parry Street
Dunedin
Otago 9016

Information about this location

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Get directions

Street Address

20 Parry Street
Dunedin
Otago 9016

Postal Address

PO Box 669
Dunedin 9054

This page was last updated at 12:35PM on September 5, 2024. This information is reviewed and edited by Otago Youth Wellness Trust.