Supporting young people in care to participate in quality sport and physical activity opportunities
More and more children in Aotearoa are missing out on participating in sport and physical activity, due to barriers preventing them from having the opportunity to take part. It is evident that practical capabilities such as the cost, having confidence, getting to practice and games and having the appropriate sports gear, all contribute to this decline in rangatahi and tamariki participating in sport.
Te Pou o Te Whare is a pilot project designed by Healthy Families Ōtautahi, utilising insights from young people, social workers, staff from Oranga Tamariki and sports providers. The initiative aims to support young people in care to participate in quality sport and physical activity opportunities while enabling providers to be responsive to the needs of young people.
Systems Innovator, Lawrence Tau formed a design team based in Christchurch, bringing together representatives from the sport and physical activity sector and the social care sector, to design and plan solutions for young people in care. In partnership with Special Friends Sports Trust, tamariki and rangatahi aged between five and twelve years old are identified and matched with a sports mentor, providing a pathway to enable them to play a sport.
Special Friends Sports Trust Founder, Sandy Van Heyningen says “The ultimate goal is that as the children develop skills, confidence and interest in a particular sport or activity, the mentor and the Trust will facilitate the move into a club environment, take the young person to practice and games, cover the cost to participate and ensure they have the appropriate sports gear."
Through Te Pou o Te Whare, Healthy Families Ōtautahi is working in partnership to shift the barriers preventing young people in care from experiencing quality physical activity and sporting opportunities. For any young person who has experienced trauma, being involved in sport increases mental wellbeing as well as a sense of connection and belonging.
By shifting the barriers and providing a pathway for young people to participate in sport, together we can make changes in our communities to empower young people to be physically active.