Whanake Youth community team
Barney Hodges
Youth Worker
This is Barney's second year with Whanake. He has gained his level 3 Youth Work certificate in 2021. He is focused on mentoring young people to help them see the best in themselves. Barney works at WY on Mondays and Thursdays and the other time he is supporting the team at On Track. To contact Barney barney@whanakeyouth.org.nz
Jonny Claridge
Youth Worker
Jonny has completed his L3 youth worker certificate and this is his 2nd year with Whanake Youth. He is part-time and works at SYP and HQ on Monday's during term time.
Jonny works the rest of the time with the team at Youth Nelson. Jonny's contact details are: jonny@whanakeyouth.org.nz
Robyn Fenselau
Registered Social Worker
Robyn is our community team leader. Her role is to support the awesome mahi the team are doing in the community and to continue connecting our rangatahi with services in the community. To contact Robyn email robyn@whanakeyouth.org.nz
Meagan Goodman
Youth Health Worker
Meg is new to the team this year and she is providing workshops with Youth Nelson, supporting Victory Community Centre in establishing some awesome things for young people, as with developing young leaders at WY. To contact Meg email meg@whanakeyouth.org.nz
We also have some amazing new staff who have joined our community team! Photo's should be up soon.
We welcome:
* Loan Heron-Youth Health and Wellbeing Worker who will be working at HQ and intermediate schools
*Maz Kirkham-Head Barista. She is working at SYP cafe and will soon be bringing on board young people to help them learn some awesome new skills! Bring it!
Whanake Youth school team
Lauren Penney
Social Worker
Lauren is on maternity leave this year and will return Term 4.
Donna Southorn
Registered Nurse
Donna is a super experienced youth health nurse based at Motueka High. Donna contributes to the overall wellbeing at Motueka High School and is super easy to talk with. To contact Donna donna@whanakeyouth.org.nz
Mari Slack
Youth Worker
Mari is our new youth worker based at Nelson Intermediate School on Wednesdays. She is loving her new role, getting to know the staff and young people. Mari is keen to use her skills in coaching, craft and inspiring people to sing and be part of a choir! To contact Mari mari@whanakeyouth.org.nz
Jess van Arendonk
Project Lead
Jess is back from maternity leave and is heading up our Social Enterprise with the SYP's cafe. Jess is at work Tues-Thursday's. If you need to contact Jess her email is
We have some new staff who have also joined the school team. Photo's are coming! We welcome:
*Effie Drummond who is working in Alternative Education
*Hailey Henderson who has joined the team at Nayland College
*Ronnie Englard who is working with Donna at Motueka High School and will also be running a mindfulness workshop on Thursday's @HQ.
Caitlin Westgate
Social worker
This is Caitlin's first year with the team, although she was a student on placement with us in 2020. Caitlin is working at Motueka High School and also at Broadgreen Intermediate School. She also has capacity to case manage a small number of young people. To contact Caitlin caitlin@whanakeyouth.org.nz
ON MATERNITY LEAVE
Whanake Youth leadership and support team
Donna Southorn
Registered Nurse
Donna is a super experienced youth health nurse based at Motueka High. Donna contributes to the overall wellbeing at Motueka High School and is super easy to talk with. To contact Donna donna@whanakeyouth.org.nz
Robyn Fenselau
Registered Social Worker
Robyn is our community team leader. Her role is to support the awesome mahi the team are doing in the community and to continue connecting our rangatahi with services in the community. To contact Robyn email robyn@whanakeyouth.org.nz
Lee-ann O'Brien
Manager and RN
Lee-ann is Co-founder and Manager of Whanake Youth. She loves doing all the mahi from working alongside young people, to empowering staff to be even more awesome to advocating for the system to be better for young people. Lee-ann works Mon-Fri and can be contacted 0211542369 or leeann@whanakeyouth.org.nz
