Silent Disco

Time

  • 5:00 pm

Date

  • 29/01/2021

Organiser

  • VOYCE

Location

  • Christchurch Art Gallery

One of the VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai Ōtautahi (Christchurch) rangatahi volunteers came up with the idea of hosting a Silent Disco and started planning with the support of the local Kaiwhakamana and a youth worker from YCD (Youth and Cultural Development). The event was hosted at the Christchurch Art Gallery, with two DJ’s, free popcorn and fizzy drinks, as well as an interactive play zone. For those wondering, a Silent Disco is where everyone has a set of headphones, which can tune into different DJ channels, so the attendees can switch between DJ tracks and listen through the headphones. If you’re not wearing headphones, you can just hear people singing along (sometimes badly) to music that only they can hear.

Even though we didn’t have a large group of rangatahi who attended, those that did come had a really enjoyable time and provided really positive feedback. It was also a safe space for some of the rangatahi to reach out and ask for advocacy support.

A highlight of the night for all, was having fun on the dancefloor with rangatahi and tamariki and enjoying the laughter. Watching the young people connect with each other and develop their friends was also very enjoyable and it made the VOYCE staff proud to see an event that brought friendships a little bit closer.

The young people who attended said that they enjoyed doing something different, and being able to chat with the headphones off, or join in with the music. They got to choose how they wanted to participate. They also suggested that we do another one in Winter when it’s dark, as it wasn’t really dark at all at this one, as it’s Summer. VOYCE is keen to throw another dance party in Winter, where it’s dark and we can get some cool disco lights going.

VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai wants to say a massive thank you to the Rotary Club of Riccarton, YCD, Silent Disco NZ, Christchurch City Council and DJ’s Infared and Danny III. Most of all, thank you to all the young people that came along to the party, and to the caregivers and youth workers that provided transport and support for them to attend.

Promise Three: Learning

Education as a gateway to dreams, rangatahi are supported to achieve aspirations.

Promise One: Care

Every tamaiti receives nurturing, protection, and provision, as any good parent would offer.

Promise Five: Voice

Tamariki and rangatahi are involved in decisions that affect them, and their voices are honoured.

Promise Four: Wellbeing

Timely, accessible, and culturally conscious health and mental health services are available to all taiohi.

Promise Two: Stability

Young people in care experience consistency, safety, and a sense of belonging.

Whānau care is where a child is being raised by someone in their whānau or extended family. Often it means a child living with their grandparents – but could also be another family member like an aunt, uncle or older sibling. Whāngai is the traditional Māori practice of whānau care.