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Tania Vincent Trustee About me "I’ve always volunteered. Skylight’s mission resonated with me – as a mum supporting kids is very important to me. Too many of our young people are represented in the suicide statistics. I wanted to help. I wanted to be part of something that increased the resilience of young people and built life skills. Skylight’s work with tamariki and rangatahi in their time of need is having an impact and I want to see that impact extended. We are one of the best kept secrets in Aotearoa – given our success we should have a larger national profile." With a career that spans high-level advisory and executive roles in both international and domestic environments, Tania understands the complexities of navigating public, private, and non-profit sectors. She is currently a Senior Partner at Tregaskis Brown, focusing on business strategy, business transformation, governance, supporting effective investment management decision making and organisational performance. A chartered accountant, Tania has Bachelors degrees in Accounting and History. She has a strong network of people within the public and NGO sectors and proven financial capability, reporting, programme, project management and contract management expertise. Next Previous

Get involved Support Skylight through donations to the Flashlight Fund, organising or joining fundraising events, purchasing an Entertainment Book, or setting up a Givealittle page Flashlight Fund The Flashlight Fund provides access to free counselling for children, young people and whānau facing tough times, who otherwise couldn’t afford it. A donation to the Flashlight Fund would be very much appreciated. Fundraise for us If you have a great idea and would like to fundraise for Skylight we want to hear from you! Events Organise your own fundraising event There are so many ways that you could fundraise to support the work of Skylight. No matter what you choose to do, you can know that every little bit of money raised will make a positive difference to children, young people and whānau in our communities. We have a whole lot more information about how to organise your own fundraising event , or you could give us a call on 04 939 6767 Fundraise for us when you're doing an event People like you who are doing events all around the country choose to fundraise for Skylight and support our work. Whether it’s Round the Bays, the Taupō Cycle Challenge, Iron Māori, or a local fun run or dog walk event – you could fundraise for Skylight alongside your training for and doing the event. Let us know what event you’re going to do and ask about how we could support you. You might want to ask friends and whānau to sponsor you, collect their donations and bank them once you’ve completed the event, or you could set up a fundraising page on Givealittle This will make it easy for you to tell people what you’re doing and why, and collect donations. Your supporters will get a tax receipt for their donation immediately and the money will be direct credited into our bank account, so you don’t have to worry about depositing it into our account. Entertainment Book Save hundreds of dollars every year on dining, attractions and at retail outlets! Order yours online today Skylight receives 20% for every book or digital membership that we sell. Givealittle Whether you're organising your own fundraising activity or event, taking part in an existing event, fundraising at work or school, or just want to set up an online fundraising page to support the work that Skylight do in our communities across Aotearoa, Givealittle is a great online platform to do that - you just need to choose Skylight to be the beneficiary of your fundraising efforts. It's easy to set up and once you have you can share with your friends, whānau and everyone you know what you're doing, why you're supporting Skylight and ask them to support you. Anyone who makes a donation will get an immediate tax receipt and the money that your supporters donate will get direct credited to our bank account. You might also be interested in: Our story Contact us Organise your own fundraising event Fundraising ideas

Trevney shares his story This webisode features Trevney sharing his story of how he has survived suicide or lost a friend or whānau member to suicide – it is for rangatahi by rangatahi. The personal experiences shared in the following video may be disturbing for some viewers as he talks about suicide. You might also be interested in: Matty - Resilience Web Series Mana - Resilience Web Series Jahnya shares her story Brittany shares their story McKay - Resilience Web Series Rose - Resilience Web Series Melissa - Resilience Web Series Parenting through Grief Bella - Resilience Web Series

Maria Mitimeti-Clark Trustee About me "As a mum I’m profoundly connected to the work that Skylight does. Grief and loss can be crippling. While from a cultural perspective grieving is done as a collective, and there are structures in place, we all need help to navigate the individual part of grief and loss. And we must remove the stigma around asking for help, especially for kids. I gravitated towards Skylight because I wanted to make a contribution to a better future for tamariki and rangatahi. I want to help our kids navigate the challenging times in their lives so they can continue to thrive." Maria is a leader with extensive public service experience – both at the Board level and as an Executive. A passionate advocate for better outcomes for Pasifika, Maria connected deeply with the kaupapa of Skylight. She sees an opportunity for Skylight to be innovative and lead. Next Previous

Fundraising ideas There are hundreds of ways you could fundraise for us and we’re always excited by the great ideas people come up with, here are just a few that we hope might inspire you. There are hundreds of ways you could fundraise for us and we’re always excited by the great ideas people come up with, here are just a few that we hope might inspire you: Auction something on Trademe, at an event, work or school Have a stall at a local market or fair, hold a garage sale, or car boot sale Hire out what you do best – it could be mowing lawns, handyperson, sewing curtains, or a massage Run, run, run – you could run a marathon, join a local fun-run or run anywhere you want Organise a golf, tennis or darts tournament Compete in an event, or ask your gym to host one Give up chocolate, social media, that morning coffee or shopping – you choose, and pick how long for then get your friends and whānau to sponsor you Shave your head or beard, or maybe don’t get a haircut for 6 months? Set yourself a challenge, or ask your friends to set you a challenge – it could be to learn a new language, do that skydive you’ve always talked about, or start taking public transport to work, set yourself a swimming goal – or anything else you can think of Host a morning tea, themed lunch or coffee morning Hold a bake sale or sausage sizzle Have a dinner party and ask your guests to donate what they’d pay for the same meal in a restaurant Eating competitions - how many crackers without drinking water, how many pies or chillies? Office Olympics – who can type fastest, or race down the corridor in a swivel chair Have a ‘guess who the baby in the photo is’ competition A dance party, ball or disco School mufti day or a dress up/dress down day at work Organise a fashion show, an art exhibition or art class Guess how many sweets in the jar, soccer balls in the car or baked beans in the bucket?! Organise a quiz night, games night, theatre or movie night We’ve got loads more ideas of fun ways to fundraise, big and small, so please get in touch with us if you’re thinking of fundraising to support Skylight’s work in our communities. You might also be interested in: Our story Contact us Organise your own fundraising event Get involved

Jenny Devine Clinical Advisor | Kaiwhirinaki Haumanu About me Kia ora ko Jenny Devine toku ingoa. I am a registered educational psychologist and the Clinical Advisor for Skylight Trust. While completing my teaching qualification in 2007, I became interested in the needs of students with behaviour and learning challenges. I have since worked in a variety of roles within the education sector including Teacher Aide, Early Childhood and Primary School Teacher, Resource Teacher of Learning and Behaviour (RTLB), and as a Psychologist with the Ministry of Education. I have also worked as a contractor with ACC and in private practice specialising in learning disability assessments. Next Previous

Emma Harbour Programmes Coordinator | Kaituitui Hōtaka About me Kia ora, I am Emma. Previously, a travel tour coordinator, flight attendant, foster carer and supervisor at a home for pregnant teens. I have joined Skylight this year as a Programme Coordinator. Our team oversees networking with other community organisations and schools to promote and deliver a variety of youth wellbeing programmes. I work at Skylight Trust because the values and work align with my personal ethos. I am passionate and motivated to support others, and I want to use my time and energy for meaningful work. When I am not at work I enjoy knitting & crochet while watching the latest TV series, baking and trying out new recipes, nature walks and campervan adventures with my husband and two chihuahuas, being an active aunty, hosting international students and volunteering with the New Zealand Red Cross in a refugee resettlement. Next Previous

What is trauma? This webinar is presented by Roni who is a Strategic Interventionist/Relationship Educator and works within a trauma-informed practice. Her expertise covers such topics as attachment, addiction, trauma, emotional intelligence, and raising emotionally healthy children in today's stressful society. You might also be interested in: Grief 101 for Parents Counselling... what is it all about?

Advocacy Skylight's submission on: The Suicide Prevention Action Plan (pdf download) We agree that suicide is “not solely a health issue”. We therefore welcome the Draft Plan’s Cross-Government approach to suicide prevention and postvention but think it can go further. The responsibility must sit with all-of-government in collaboration with all sectors, public and private, including communities and non-governmental organisations such as ourselves. The Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi (pdf download) Skylight Trust firmly opposes the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill and regards the Bill as unnecessary, in breach of numerous human rights, children’s rights and Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations. Safety measures for the use of puberty blockers in young people with gender-related health needs (pdf download) Skylight does not support more restrictive regulation for access to puberty blockers for non cisgender individuals, as this is discriminatory. Access should be guided by medical practitioners, informed consent and guidelines as it is now. Consultation on Childhood Palliative Care Models (pdf download) It is time to act. We support moving to the four-hub model to produce equal outcomes across the country cost effectively and most importantly, to enable tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau to live (and die) with dignity and with professional support, as close to home as is possible. Skylight wants to support the mental and physical health of the many tamariki and rangatahi (and their whānau) accessing palliative care. If the four-hub model is not pursued, we favour the two hub model over the status quo Feedback on Oranga Tamariki's Long-Term Insights Briefing (pdf download) Skylight's response emphasises the critical need for a holistic, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive approach to child protection. Success by 2040 hinges on prevention, early intervention, robust support systems, and strong community collaboration. Key changes required include increased funding, better integration of services, and addressing systemic issues such as healthcare access and housing instability. Leveraging existing initiatives and enhancing digital support can further strengthen these efforts. Ultimately, achieving a high economic welfare and social cohesion scenario will require sustained commitment and a unified approach across all sectors. While there are many opportunities and challenges presented by the future, there is much that can be done now. You might also be interested in: Our story Te Kunenga Māori Strategy and Action Plan 2025 Our supporters Our partners Governance

The Power of Journaling Participants will be taken on a journey of positive thinking, problem solving, mindfulness and self-care. You might also be interested in: Good Mood and Food Counselling... what is it all about?

Benjamin Jensen Senior Counselling Coordinator | Kaituitui Whakamāherehere Matua About me In my role at Skylight, I am a counselling coordinator/counsellor. My roles have changed over the last four years. Currently my work involves supporting our counsellors in Awhi Mai Whi Atu schools. I enjoy the various opportunities to support tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau through our programmes, counselling and offering resources. Empowering people to feel equipped to navigate challenging times is the best part of this job. When I am not working or inside playing board games and Dungeons and Dragons I love getting obsessed with topics including history, philosophy and pop culture. Next Previous

Maddie Barrett Social Media Coordinator | Kaituitui Pae Pāpori About me Along with being the social media coordinator, I am also involved in delivering programmes aimed to help tamariki and rangitahi increase their resilience and connect with their identity. I recently completed my degree in Psychology at Otago, and are currently working on a Masters by thesis in Psychology at Victoria University. In my spare time I like to stay busy by volunteering, visiting op-shops, and enjoying time with friends and whanau. I work at Skylight because I am passionate about helping young people in evidence-based, positively-affirming ways. My aim is to register as a Psychologist and continue to help tamariki and rangitahi in Aotearoa. Next Previous