Elliot Le Page, Daniel Hawke and Tiegan Maru have all been celebrated for helping the region’s young people. Photo: Charles Anderson.

Youth workers recognised for community contribution

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Three of the region’s most dedicated youth workers have been recognised for their contribution to some of Nelson Tasman’s most vulnerable young people.

Daniel Hawke, Elliot Le Page and Tiegan Maru were recently celebrated at the annual Nelson Tasman Youth Worker Awards.

Nelson Tasman Youth Workers Collective coordinator, Sally Wood, says this year’s awards celebrated workers who have sacrificed in order to support our youth.

“This year we are celebrating workers that have not only made sacrifices to their personal lives but have gone over and above to support the youth development of some of our region’s most vulnerable young people”.

Daniel Hawke of Youth Nelson left a well-paid government position eight years ago to take up a tutor role with Youth Nelson, supporting young people excluded from the mainstream education system.

She says Daniel is respected by staff and plays an integral part in giving young people an education experience that meets their often complex needs.

Since 2008, Elliot Le Page has provided a weekend and late-night safety net for young people in the Nelson’s city centre by working tirelessly as a street ambassador.

Elliot’s ambassador role sees him working until 4am to de-escalate potentially violent situations and to provide first aid and other emergency support to limit harm from alcohol and other drugs.

Tiegan Maru works at the Motueka Recreation Centre and has undertaken Level 3 and Level 4 Certificates in Youth Work to inform her work.

Tiegan has also built a group of Motueka High School students into a high-functioning youth governance group, who now have a seat at the Motueka Community Board; and has also developed and delivered an accredited Gateway programme in Sport and Recreation for students from the school.