Using Castlecliff Beach for training are (from left) specialist case worker Jesse Hamilton-Hall, Wiremu Tamehana, Xavier Thomson, Braxton Nikora-Whale, Amos Goldsack and Tala Thompson.
Using Castlecliff Beach for training are (from left) specialist case worker Jesse Hamilton-Hall, Wiremu Tamehana, Xavier Thomson, Braxton Nikora-Whale, Amos Goldsack and Tala Thompson.
An early morning fitness programme is motivating some Whanganui Youth Service clients to get out of bed and giving them a much-needed confidence boost.
Specialist case workers Jacob Makara-Moreland and Jesse Hamilton-Hall are running the two-month trial programme three mornings a week for five of their Youth Service clients, some of whom come from challenging backgrounds.
"The fitness programme came about when we went to visit young people at home," Makara-Moreland said.
"At midday they'd still be in bed, which concerned us. They'd have been up all night playing games.
"Some of them have been disconnected from the community. We want to motivate and empower them and get them back into the community.
"We do fitness ourselves and we know how it feels after you've done a fitness session - it's a good way to start your day. We wanted to show that to young people. They'd just be in front of their screens all day otherwise.
"They do have issues, like anxiety issues. People say 'why don't they just go to the gym' but they don't have the confidence to sign up for the gym. Often they haven't had a positive role model in their life."
Hamilton-Hall said the aim was to give young people a positive outlet and build discipline and structure in a safe environment.
At the boxing gym are (from left) specialist case worker Jacob Makara-Moreland, Darcey Chambers, Wiremu Tamehana, Braxton Nikora-Whale, specialist case worker Jesse Hamilton-Hall and Tala Thompson.
On Mondays and Thursdays the young people have a session with Eddie Tofa, of River City Boxing Gym, who is experienced in working with youth. On Wednesdays Makara-Moreland and Hamilton-Hall run their own outdoor programme, which includes activities such as running on the sand dunes at Castlecliff Beach, climbing the Durie Hill steps or doing circuit training.
They hoped to build connections with other fitness programmes and gyms in the future, Hamilton-Hall said.
"We try to do routines that they could do at home or find a place outside they can go to so they can continue with it and don't have to spend money," he said.
"I did a similar programme with the police when I was young and it made a big difference to me."
It's not a case of turning up if you feel like it. Makara-Moreland and Hamilton-Hall go to the clients' homes to pick them up for training. Pick-ups start about 6am, training starts at 7am and finishes by 8am so the trainees can then go to their courses.
"They have to be accountable," Makara-Moreland said.
"They need to go to bed early. Hopefully we have planted that seed and they can carry on from there. We hope they will have the confidence to do it on their own.
"Young people and their parents have had a really positive response to the programme.
"Our boss has been really supportive too and encouraged us to think outside the box and try to be creative with how we work with young people.
"One young person came in and thought he could just get on a benefit at 16. He's now in full-time employment. It was a good outcome."
The group gets in some early morning training at Castlecliff Beach.
The Youth Service aims to get young people into education, training or work-based learning.
It works with 16- and 17-year-olds who are not engaged in employment, education or training (NEET); young parents aged 16 to 20; and young people aged up to 18 who are not supported by their parents or guardians because of family breakdowns.
"The goal is education and getting them prepared for independence, getting them as ready as possible for transition," Makara-Moreland said.
"They learn things like budgeting, parenting, getting their drivers licence and now we also have the fitness programme."
The Youth Service, provided through Work & Income, works with more than 200 young people in the Whanganui region.
