Putting the You in Youth Work

Youthfully good ideas are roaming in abundance around the Hurunui District, and under the clever eye of a new Youth Worker at Hurunui District Council, magic can happen.

Meet Rebecca Pugh, who says working with youth is a two-way street.

“The youth are a really important part of our community. This role is about providing our young people with opportunities for development and personal growth, ensuring their voice is heard and that we are recognising the incredible strengths and abilities our youth have in our district, and building on this.”

The former primary school teacher will soon to be circulating an online Youth Survey, asking this pivotal group in our community to share their ideas about how they see their own district now, and their vision for the future.

Carrying on the great work of Hurunui Youth Programme (HYP) officer Ward Shearman, Rebecca will be regularly visiting the three Area Schools for the rest of the year.

“I am excited to get into the schools and connect with our young people. My visits in the schools helps me to build relationships with our youth to understand their needs and how I can best support them. I am always amazed at their ideas and they directly inspire the events and programmes that we hold, based on what they identify as being the need. This can be an entertainment event, a connector event or a more educational event based around an issue that impacts young people”.

As exam time kicks into gear, Rebecca will be looking at ways to check in with the students during this busy and often stressful time to see how everyone is getting on.

After exams there will be some fun to be had.

“We’ll have a good post exam blow out, it’ll be time to relax, have some fun and celebrate all their hard work and effort!”

Soon recruitment will begin soon for next year’s HYP and Hurunui Youth Council (HYC) members.

Rebecca says HYP and HYC is about creating great opportunities, leadership and gaining new experiences.

“We will be holding three events in November where our young people can come along, have lots of fun, talk to our current youth crew and discover what HYP and HYC is all about!”

The details for these events will be released shortly on the ‘Hurunui Youth’ Facebook and Instagram pages.

Interest and excitement is also building for the Neon Nui on October 24 at Omihi Hall.

Rebecca is born and bred on the Kapiti Coast, and moved to the Hurunui District four years ago where she took up a teaching position at Waiau School.

She is also a member of the Community Response Committee, which has had a busy but very rewarding year supporting the Amuri Community during the hardships that the COVID-19 Pandemic brought with it.

She and her husband have a 20 month-old daughter Grace, and the trio really enjoy their life in Hurunui.

“We really enjoy the sense of community, and we love how scenic our surroundings are.”

Rebecca can’t wait to sink her teeth into her new role, and help the youth of Hurunui succeed.

“I’m passionate about working alongside our young people to see them succeed to their highest potential.”