Whanake Youth has closed after nine years of supporting Nelson’s young people; a move its co-founder describes as “heartbreaking” and one that leaves a “massive gap” in the community.
The Stoke-based youth health and well-being service officially ceased trading on 17 April, after mounting financial pressures made it unsustainable to continue.
“This is a heartbreaking day for everyone involved with Whanake Youth,” co-founder and manager Lee-ann O’Brien says.
“Our mission has always been to provide a service where young people’s health and well-being needs are met and opportunities for young people to be heard, enjoy life and thrive.”
The decision followed a board meeting last week after what Lee-ann describes as a prolonged struggle to stay afloat.
“We’ve been working hard to see what we can do, but we came to the conclusion to cease trading. Many charitable trusts continue to be underfunded, and it’s devastating that we are one of them.”
Rising operational costs and a tightening funding landscape ultimately pushed the Youth Health and Wellbeing Trust, which operates as Whanake Youth, beyond its financial limits.
Since 2017, the organisation has provided holistic, youth-focused healthcare and support for rangatahi aged 12 to 24 across Nelson and Tasman. This included school-based services, a drop-in space, community programmes and employment opportunities through the SYP Café, which also closed on Friday.
The organisation operated from a space behind Stoke Memorial Hall, leased from Nelson City Council.
Lee-ann says the impact was felt immediately when staff broke the news to young people late last week.
“They are pretty devastated. This was their place to come to. It will leave a massive gap.”
Nine staff members have been affected by the closure.
“It’s still early stages, so there is still shock and grief. We came together, cried, laid out the facts and talked about what’s next. But the biggest tears come for our young people. We’ve all got stories of how much impact Whanake Youth has had on young people.”
Those stories include young people overcoming significant challenges, including one rangatahi who has just graduated from the SYP Café training programme.
“When we met them, they were one of the hardest young people we’ve worked with.”
The SYP training programme offered barista training and experience in a real-life hospitality setting for young people to overcome challenges like anxiety, while giving them work experience for the CV.
Whanake Youth is now working with schools, Te Whatu Ora and the council to explore how some services might be supported after its closure.
Still, Lee-ann says the loss will be deeply felt, particularly among young people who already struggle to access care.
She urges the community and decision-makers to listen more closely to rangatahi.
“They need a safe space, a caring place, with adults they trust.”
As the trust begins the formal process of winding up its affairs, Lee-ann says she is holding onto hope for the future of the young people they served.
“We just have to have faith the community will wrap around them.”
The trustees have also extended their thanks to staff, whānau, supporters, the council and funders who backed the organisation over its nine years.
