Taranaki Young Peoples Trust

Story

The History of the Trust:

Trust Opened: 1 April 1993
Trusted Registered: 26 January 1993

The formation of the trust was the initiative of local businessman John Hoyle; Claire Stewart who was then a New Plymouth District Councillor and later the Mayor of New Plymouth; former NPDC employee David Thorpe; and Lynnette West, a child advocate and youth worker.

Research had been carried out which had involved school students, local community groups as well as Police and Social Welfare (now Child Youth and Families Service).

It became clear that there was a large gap in the existing provision of social services for young people who were unable to get the sort of help that required.

A public meeting was help and attended by 80 young people, many of who spoke about issues covering different areas of concern ranging from loneliness and financial hardship to family violence and learning disabilities, Their cry for help needed to be heard, For many it seemed there was no safe place for them to enjoy social contact, even at a basic level.

The Trust premises are located at 98 Liardet Street, New Plymouth. the building is owned by a local private family trust, having been originally donated to the City Council ' for the benefit of the townspeople'. Hence its used by the Trust.the local family trust purchased the premises off the Council so that the Young People's Trust could stay in the building as there was nowhere else affordable or appropriate to go. the YPT pays the local family trust a weekly rent, considerably higher that they paid the Council. to operate from the same premises.