Contributing to a Vision

It’s great when you see humble people with passion and focus can see their dreams come true. An example of this was our guest speaker at our Club’s Annual Changeover meeting last night.

Dame Sue Bagshaw (accompanied by her husband Phil) gave the club an update on their dream and that of their many supporters in creating a Youth Hub facility here in Christchurch at 109 Salisbury Street.  It will be New Zealand’s first purpose-built Youth Hub to transform youth mental health and wellbeing.

Stage One of the Youth Hub is nearing completion with the supported housing wing, wrap-around youth services block and a outdoor activities courtyard expected to be completed by the end of this month. The rest of the year will be spent fitting out the facility and preparing it for opening.

It is expected to be able to open stages from late this year.

Fundraising for this Stage and later stages are continuing.

The Club however took great delight in presenting Dame Sue with a “cheque” for $14,000 to outfit the kitchen at the new facilities.  Keith Walker, our initial Club President for the 2024/25 Rotary year, performed the honours on behalf of the Club and our Charitable Trust.