WHO ARE WE?
We are VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai, which stands for Voice of the Young and Care Experienced – Listen to me. Established in 2017, we are an independent charity organisation that helps to advocate for the approximately 6000 children with care experience (children in foster or whanau care) in New Zealand. We exist to amplify the voices of these children and ensure that they are heard – so as to positively influence their individual care and to collectively affect change in the wider care system. VOYCE was co-designed by children with care experience for children with care experience.
VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai runs local events and experiences to create safe networks and communities that connect care experienced young Kiwis and help build positive morale. Our whakapapa reflects a strong and unique partnership between young people, government, the philanthropic and non-government sectors – we are co-funded by government and philanthropy partners. We believe that it is only in working together that the vision of building a community of positive, confident and capable care experienced young people will be realised.
HOW WE AMPLIFY YOUR VOICE AND STAND UP FOR YOU
VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai started small but are pushing for big outcomes that reflect the voice of those in the care system. In addition to an Auckland Head Office, VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai now has offices in Whangarei, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch, with satellite offices in Hastings and Dunedin.
With your help and support we will continue to be ardent advocates for children in care, ensuring their voices are heard by government and the care system. We will also continue to actively develop and talk to children in care about what they need, and engage with partners and government in order to positively move things forward.
Connect children and young people in care with advocates and trusted adults to help you have your say
Support you to share your stories in your words, when key decisions are made which affect you
Work alongside Iwi and Māori organisations as well as other groups in the community, who build a support network around children and young people in care
VOYCE organises connection events for you to meet, have fun and share ideas with other children and young people in care
We’re constantly developing a care-experienced support community, to build an even stronger voice to the system
We have established a youth council of care experienced young people who promote the voice of care experience on the big issues affecting you
VOYCE HAS FIVE GUIDING POU
RANGATIRATANGA – Build leadership among children and young people in care.
TUHONO – Connect children and young people in care with each other and with their significant others.
WHAKATAIRANGA – Promote the collective voice of children and young people in care.
WHAKAMANA – Advocate with children and young people in care.
WHAI PUKENGA – Help equip children and young people in care for their future.
Children’s voices need to be kept at the centre of all the decisions made about them.
THE VOYCE NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL
VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai believes that children and young people in care need to be heard, and all decisions made about them should keep their voices at the centre. A vital part of this is setting up and having an operational VOYCE National Youth Council (VYNC). These VNYC members are care experienced youth and young adults with enormous amounts of knowledge and passion for improving the care system for others.
Largely unsung experts of the care system, these care experienced youth have profound ideas, experiences and solutions to offer. Their natural leadership in this space needs to be enhanced with appropriate training and support in order to help convert contributions into successful advocacy outcomes. VOYCE provides and offers continual leadership advancement to these members throughout their two-year tenure on the VNYC.
Being in care can be challenging from time to time. If you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out.
THE VOYCE CHIEF EXECUTIVE & BOARD
Get involved with VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai
THANK YOU
We would like to recognise all the children and young people who helped create the foundation for VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai to be established.
Without the courageous sharing of your experiences and your honesty and generosity we wouldn’t be here today! Nga mihi nui.
The children and young people from the 2013 Auckland Voices of Children in Care hui
The 2015 Minister’s Youth Advisory Panel
Te Whānau Aroha
The young people in care from Dunedin, Rotorua, New Plymouth, Auckland, Ngapuhi and Te Maioha Parekarangi Residence
The children and young people from the Dingwall Trust
The children and young people from Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services
The co-design group who worked with Curative
Children and young people involved in the Dingwall Trust Launch Programme
