Taiohi Tū training will focus on health needs of youth

9 September 2014

Taiohi Tū training will focus on health needs of youth in South Taranaki

Seven local youth workers from South Taranaki, including high school alternative education teachers, will be taught how to deliver kaupapa Māori Youth Health workshops. The Taiohi (Youth) Tū training will take part over two days, Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 September in Hawera.

Taranaki DHB Health Promoter Rewatu Carr said, “The South Taranaki Taiohi Tū programme aims to encourage youth to be resilient, to explore their strengths and to arm them with sound knowledge to help them make their own decisions.

“The Taiohi Tū trainers have all volunteered to take part. Once trained, they will deliver some (or all) of the ten Taiohi Tū workshops to young people who attend their school programmes or youth groups,” Ms Carr said.

The workshops cover topics including; identity and culture, self-image, relationships, contraception, pregnancies and safe sex, food and exercise, alcohol, smoking and drugs, resiliency and goal setting.

This week’s training sessions are the first official use of the new Taiohi Tū programme resources, which have been several years in development.

Ms Carr explained the resources, including a trainers manual and student workbook, have been developed in response to numerous ‘cup-of-tea conversations’ and formal consultations held throughout South Taranaki on the needs and gaps for young people.

“A key concept of Taiohi Tū is meeting youth ‘where they are at’ – encouraging discussion over lectures, and tools over rules. Our trainers are able to personalise the workshops to best suit their groups, and deliver information in diverse and exciting ways - including immersive discussions, arts and crafts, games and pop-quizzes.”

“In the few ‘tester’ sessions we have held at high schools, the students’ reactions have been really positive, saying the Taiohi Tū workshops are like nothing they have learnt before.”

Youth workers who are interested in becoming Taiohi Tū trainers can contact Rewatu Carr on 06 753 6139 ext. 8516.

ENDS

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