Despite challenges such as the cost-of-living crisis and the growing number of rangatahi needing our support, we've not only maintained but also expanded our services, ensuring we remain there for rangatahi when they need us most.
We believe rangatahi should never have to face cancer alone. We provide a safe space for rangatahi to connect, share the tough stuff, and get a break from the challenges of cancer when they need it.
We achieved a lot of exciting things in 2023/2024:
- Our services supported more than 800 rangatahi impacted by cancer across Aotearoa.
- We connected more than 300 rangatahi at over 85 different face-to-face and online events.
- Our clinical team delivered nearly 4,500 counselling and therapeutic interventions, a 14% increase compared with 2022/23.
After receiving our support, the number of rangatahi who were at high risk of developing mental health issues like depression and anxiety decreased by 53%.
Our impact across Aotearoa
Highlights of our psychosocial support services
- 85 face-to-face and online events were hosted nationwide by our team of youth workers, offering diverse activities ranging from frisbee golf in Invercargill, skiing in Christchurch, Japanese Taiko drumming in Wellington, to surfing in Waihi, drifting in Auckland, and art centre visits in Whangārei.
- 110 rangatahi attended camps designed to give them a much needed break from cancer while learning new skills. Camp activities included fishing, surfing, kayaking, and leadership development.
- More than 27 grants were given to rangatahi across Aotearoa, funding essential items such as laptops, phones, books, and courses. Special thanks to LagardereAWPL for their support of our Rangatahi Development Grants programme.
- 81% of rangatahi who received individual psychosocial support found it useful for talking about their feelings and experiences with people who understand.
- 23,000kms travelled by our Youth Work team, visiting rangatahi, whānau, and health professionals in 17 cities
across Aotearoa. That’s more KMs than travelling from Cape Reinga to Bluff 11 times. - 9 Kubi Robots were in action, enabling rangatahi undergoing treatment to continue
their education remotely, helping them stay connected to their schools and peers.
Generosity of our community
We are incredibly grateful to all our partners and sponsors, whose support continues to help us continue to provide vital psychosocial support services to rangatahi impacted by cancer.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our generous donors who have joined the Canteen whānau as monthly donors, helping us sustain and expand our vital services for rangatahi.
