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Introducing Sound Bridge: Music Therapy for Young Musicians Starting on the 7th of October, Sound Bridge runs every Tuesday during the school term, from 4:30pm - 6pm, located in Te Aro. Led by registered music therapist Rick Berry , Sound Bridge  offers a space for creative connection, emotional expression, and musical collaboration. Why Sound Bridge? This isn’t just a jam session, it’s a therapeutic group  grounded in evidence-based practice, designed to strengthen wellbeing through music. 🎵 Active music-making : Participants engage in improvisation, collaborative playing, and songwriting. 👥 Peer support : Group settings offer validation, shared experiences, and a sense of belonging that one-on-one therapy often can’t provide. 🌱 Identity development : Music becomes a safe medium for young people to explore who they are and express what words often can’t. 💛 Emotional wellbeing : Music therapy helps improve mood, emotional regulation, stress management, and overall mental health. Who is it for? Rangatahi aged 12–18  who already identify as musicians  (in any genre or style). Young people who would benefit from social connection , emotional support , and creative expression  in a group setting. Why refer? Sound Bridge  offers a low-risk, strengths-based approach to support mental health while honouring a young person’s musical identity. Participants build confidence, learn new ways to cope with challenges, and form meaningful connections—all through the joy of making music. Meet the Facilitator Rick Berry , a registered music therapist trained at the University of Melbourne, brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to his work. With experience in community, inpatient, and youth mental health settings across Australia and Aotearoa—including CAMHS, Oranga Tamariki, Te Whare o Matairangi, and Skylight. Rick is passionate about creating spaces where rangatahi feel seen, safe, and empowered. His approach is grounded, relatable, and responsive to the unique needs of young musicians navigating life’s challenges. “I’ve seen how music creates connection and healing in ways that words often can’t. Sound Bridge  is about using that power to build a supportive space for rangatahi to be heard, be themselves, and belong.” Referrals are now open . If you know a young person who might benefit, we’d love to hear from you. 📍 Wellington-based | Ages 12–18 | Referral required *Sound Bridge is running as a pilot programme in Term 4 of 2025. For more information or to refer, email [email protected]

Please join me in welcoming our newest additions to Skylight's Board of Trustees! The Skylight Board of Trustees is the governing entity tasked with overseeing the organization's mission, policies, and financial well-being. This board is composed of individuals with expertise in various disciplines, such as education, business, law, and the arts, all dedicated to furthering Skylight's objectives. Read more about the Board here . Dr. Amanda Perry Dr Amanda Perry is an experienced clinician and academic leader who is passionate about supporting people to reach their potential. A qualified counsellor, play therapist, and EMDR practitioner, Amanda has a small private practice. She has experience working in medical settings, schools, online mental health forums, and in private practice. Amanda’s PhD focused on the work of online mental health forum moderators (health professionals) in terms of how they work to move at-risk individuals towards safety using only the written word. Alongside her private practice, Amanda works as the Dean of Academic Operations at Whitecliffe College. Martin Weekes "My name is Martin. I'm married to Jane and am a father of 9 children, aged from 29 years old down to my youngest, who is 7. I am an accomplished leader, board advisor, coach, and mentor specializing in transformation and change." Martin has over 25 years of management experience as a senior executive working in Europe, New Zealand, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. Alongside his commercial career, he has been involved with the not-for-profit sector, working with and on the boards of several charities. This involvement has supported at-risk children, families impacted by domestic abuse, emergency rescue, children’s air ambulance, The Neonatal Trust, education, and sport, helping raise over $100 million within New Zealand.

Welcome to Our New Blog! We are excited to announce the launch of our new blog, a space where we aim to share insights, stories, and valuable resources with our community. This blog is a reflection of our passion and commitment to connect with you and provide meaningful content. What You Can Expect Updates and News: Stay tuned for updates about our initiatives, events, and any exciting news related to our organization. Informative Articles: We will be posting articles that cover a wide range of topics relevant to our audience, including tips, trends, and best practices. Counsellor Contributions: We plan to feature our brilliant counsellors to offer different perspectives and expertise, enriching our content even further. Our Goals Through this blog, we hope to: Build a vibrant community where knowledge and experiences can be shared. Provide valuable content that informs and inspires. Encourage collaboration and connection among our readers. Thank you for joining us on this journey. We are thrilled to have you with us and can't wait to share our first post with you soon!