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Starting secondary school is a big transition
Alongside new friendships and independence, many young people are also navigating pressure, uncertainty, identity questions, family changes, and emotional stress.
Travellers provides early, practical support, helping young people build skills before challenges become overwhelming.
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Make sense of thoughts and feelings
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Learn healthy ways to cope with stress and change
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Build confidence and self-belief
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Strengthen relationships and help-seeking
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Feel more connected to school and trusted adults
25 years
Proven in schools for over 25 years
1K+
School staff trained to deliver Travellers
250+
Schools across Aotearoa
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Discover how Travellers strengthens student wellbeing, builds pastoral connections, and supports early intervention.
Learn what your child will experience in Travellers and how you can support them at home.
What is Travellers?
Travellers is a structured, small-group wellbeing programme primarily for Year 9 students.
Students meet weekly in groups of 8–10 with trained facilitators over 10 sessions.
Through discussion, creative activities, and practical tools, young people learn how to understand themselves better and respond to life’s challenges with confidence.
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School-based, during school hours
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Small, supportive groups
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Delivered by trained school staff
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Backed by research and over 25 years of delivery
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Developed in Aotearoa, for Aotearoa
Created in partnership with...
how it works
Understand student wellbeing
Schools use a short, confidential wellbeing survey to gain a clear picture of how students are really doing.
Offer targeted support
Students who may benefit from extra support are invited into a 10-week small-group programme.
Build skills and connection
Young people learn practical tools for coping, emotional awareness, self-esteem, and build trusting connections with peers and staff.
Young people tell us Travellers helps them…
Enhance their connections with peers, family members, staff, and facilitators
“I get on with teachers now. I didn’t get on with them before Travellers. I talk to my form teacher about stuff now. In Travellers, we try to open our hearts to each other and solve common problems together. I could share my feelings and it was kept personal. It’s great.”
Reduce emotional distress and improve their ability to cope
“This program helped me with dealing with certain situations that I'd often have a hard time dealing with. It taught me how to calm down when I was stressed/upset and how to react when certain situations arise. It made me feel safe to share any problems I had because everyone else was very comfortable with themselves, and that made my issues feel much more secure and valid when sharing them.”
Increase confidence and self-belief
“Overall, I feel Travellers has made me more confident in sharing my emotions and voicing them too, I also feel that Travellers has helped me to realize that having emotions are good and how to deal with them in a healthy way. It also helped me with being a more positive person and reflecting that positivity on others by helping them as well.”
have a greater willingness to talk and seek help
“Travellers helped me understand that if I’m going through a difficult time that I have friends and family there and it’s good to talk about cause you’re expressing your feelings.”
feel less alone and more understood
“It's helped me realise I'm not alone and that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover because loads of people go though horrible things and you wouldn't be able to tell from looking at them. Basically it's helped me be more open minded.”
Developed by Skylight Trust
Skylight Trust is a national not-for-profit that specialises in helping tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau navigate tough times.
We provide counselling (in person and online), group programmes, resources, and training for professionals. We believe no one should face grief, loss, or change alone. This guide is just one way we share that support.
24k+
Hours of therapy each year
400+
Families supported per month
130+
Schools running our programmes
Proven, trusted, and grounded in Aotearoa
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Proven over time Supporting young people across Aotearoa since 2001
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Research-informed: Developed with Victoria University of Wellington
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Early intervention focus Identifies need early and prevents escalation
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Builds school capability Staff are trained to deliver sustainably
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Culturally grounded Incorporates Te Ao Māori and Te Whare Tapa Whā
Jacob
School Counsellor
"Through counselling [the child] has been able to acknowledge their fear and connect with joy, family and the other protective elements in life."
Glenda
Facilitator
"Creative activities gave the girls space to express themselves in ways that felt safe and empowering, often opening conversations that may not have happened otherwise."
Noel
Student
"It’s different now. Before I went to Travellers I didn’t really get along with my friends. Now I speak up to them and I’m not invisible anymore."
Getting started with Travellers
Getting started with Travellers is simple and fully supported. Schools are guided step by step, from first enquiry through to delivery.
Register interest
Get in touch to talk through your school’s context, needs, and timing.
Book facilitator training
Identify at least two staff members to attend the two‑day Travellers facilitator training.
Run the Student Wellbeing Survey
Gain a clear picture of your Year 9 cohort’s wellbeing to inform group invitations and planning.
Deliver the programme
Run small‑group Travellers sessions during the school day with ongoing support.
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