Our Residential
Wellbeing Programme

A Girl Called Hope exists to see young women pursue their full potential through their voluntary participation in a structured Residential Wellbeing Programme. It is open to women of Aotearoa aged 16-28 years, and consists of the following three phases:

1. Intake

2. Residential Wellbeing

3. Transition

during which participants are supported by our team to set their own goals to improve wellbeing.

1. Intake

An application to the Residential Wellbeing phase of the programme at A Girl Called Hope is initiated by the young woman herself. This is the first step in demonstrating a sincere desire and readiness for change. Applications are reviewed by the Intake Coordinator who conducts an in–depth interview and presents the application to the intake committee. If the Residential Wellbeing Programme is found to be suitable then applicants are supported through regular contact with the Intake Coordinator. Until a place becomes available each young woman is provided with resources to help her prepare for the Residential Wellbeing phase. Regular reviews take place to ensure the programme's suitability to meet current needs. A Girl Called Hope reserves the right to decline an application at any stage of the application process. 

2. Residential Wellbeing

Participants enter a welcoming home-like environment that is a safe space to learn tools and techniques to bring change. Our team provide active support, for the 16 weeks that participants live on-site, through a structured daily routine, A further 8 weeks of remote Counselling is offered as part of Transition support.

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Participants and their support people are received with a mihi whakatau and complete this part of their journey with A Girl Called Hope with a poroporoaki.

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Through the experience of living in community, participants learn to engage healthily in respectful and boundaried relationships with each other and staff. These aspects of community living are explored through individual counselling, group process, staff coaching and each participant's own discoveries from Life Skills classes. Each young woman participates in the daily running of the home as well as recreation that includes team building and service in community activities.

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Regular set Weekend Leave ensures that participants remain connected to Whanau, friends and other support people - this is an important part of a person's journey toward wellness. This also eases some of the challenge when transitioning back to their community after the Residential Wellbeing phase. 

3. Transition

Transitions are a natural and important part of life. In times of transition, learning to navigate the challenges and opportunitites of different expectations and roles offers spaces to flourish. This part of the Residential Wellbeing Programme is offered for twelve months.

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Regular contact with the Transition Support Coordinator and, if opted for, an Accountability Mentor from her own community, supports a graduate's reintegration into her community of choice. We support participants to identify and seek natural circles of support and we encourage active participation in her local community. Growth, independence and recovery in mental heath are supported through the graduate's honest conversations about how things are progressing; conversations where support and celebration can take place.

Therapeutic

Our therapeutic environment helps young women to gain essential building blocks necessary for developing boundaried and authentic relationships.

Individual Counselling and Group process also addresses the root causes of issues and behaviours from which the young woman is seeking change from.

A Girl Called Hope operates a daily structured learning programme, which is holistic in approach and focuses on nurturing the following areas: 
> Value & Worth
> Relationships
> Character
> Purpose

The young women participate in recreation every afternoon; activities include attending the gym, general sports, bush walks, shopping and community service. 

Household duties

Participation in caring for our Home helps to build the skills necessary for harmonious and healthy living back in community.  Young women work alongside our team in daily tasks such as meal preparation and creating a welcoming home environment.

Journey

The journey for a young woman begins during the Intake phase. The mihi whakatau into Residential phase celebrates her courage to trust the process of change.  A poroporoaki acknowledges the end of  her journey in the Home as she shares her renewed hope for the future.