Busy year for Blue Light programmes

Nearly 2000 young people from Puhoi to Mangawhai benefited from North Rodney Blue Light activities last year.

Blue Light is a community and police initiative providing drug and alcohol free entertainment, cultural and sporting events for youngsters aged five-18.

Taking part in a range of outdoor activities provides challenges and opportunities for learning new skills. At the same time, participants learn about leadership while working as a team, North Rodney Blue Light youth co-ordinator Shane Gould says.
“It’s all about being pro-active and preventative,” he says. “By encouraging kids to participate in such activities we are giving them the opportunity to move outside their comfort zone, relate better to their peers, earn respect and improve self esteem. Exposing young people to challenging experiences in a healthy, structured, safe environment can prevent crime and anti social behaviour, so there are benefits for the whole community.”
While any child is eligible, Shane works closely with local police, schools and family support agencies to identify who could most benefit.

New this year will be a lunchtime programme established at Wellsford and Mangawhai primary schools.
“While we still organise dances for schools, which is how the organisation started here 25 years ago, we are also about a whole range of challenging activities using the natural resources we have on our doorstep.”

Blue Light is a non-profit organisation. Shane Gould is currently the only paid, full time worker based in Wellsford. He’s been in the job for 13 years, so is well placed to judge the positive benefits of the programmes. Currently, Shane is seeking funding to employ other staff, as well as to cover maintenance and operating costs.

For information: Phone 423 8545, email:bluelight-wellsford@paradise.net.nz.

Top: Participants in the Tomarata School Camp at Moirs Point with paddles at the ready

Bottom: Mangawhai Army Cadets en route to camp site off King Road, Mangawhai.