A jamming good time during Youth Week

From Jam Sesh to Sports Sesh – local rangatahi again embraced local youth week activities hosted by Partners Porirua during May 2024 leaving parents really happy:

“Just wanted to thank you and your team for the heart and soul moment of your wonderful session with our youth in Porirua tonight!” Jo (parent)

Ruby Sei, Communications and Projects assistant for Partners Porirua, says it was great to take part in this national initiative for the fourth year running.

“Youth Week is about celebrating the young people in our communities – not only the ones we regularly work with, but it’s an opportunity to let others know what we do and how we can help.”

This year activities centred around the Jam Sesh and a fun (but competitive) sports session.

Jam Sesh was a chance for young people to showcase their musical talents in a safe supportive space with lots of fun, spot prizes, and other activities on offer. The main event was held outdoors in Cobham Court with spill over activities like gaming and virtual reality in the Partners Porirua offices.

“We had a good a variety of people attend – those young people not in school or work during the day and then school students later in the day – we also had lots of local businesses helping out donating time and goodies. The Police put on a popular BBQ and we had a few jump on the instruments as well – we even had some of our own Partners Porirua musos singing songs and playing too – it just added to the atmosphere on the day.

“The young locals performing are just so talented but sometime needed a bit of encouragement to get up in front of an audience!”

The sports session was held at Te Rauparaha Arena. Netball, volleyball and basketball were all on offer with spot prizes and lunch an added bonus.

Ruby says the highlight for her was the feedback from the young women from He Huarahi Tamariki (A Chance for Children) secondary school for those who are pregnant or parenting.

“They really appreciated being invited to the sports day and said they don’t usually get the chance to be involved in something like this. I found that really touching, it’s just so rewarding to see young people enjoying the activities and getting something out of it.”

Ruby says a sideline activity during Youth Week was a free clothes bank. “It can be hard for young people going for job interviews to have the right gear to wear and we like to offer suitable choices for that. There was also a range of other clothing to keep young people warm and cosy over winter.”

“We had one family approach us that was new to the area with nothing, and eight people in the household. They were keen for any clothing left over from the day – we were so happy to be able to kit them out.”

Click the photo below to checkout our ‘Youth Week’ video.