The story 24-7 YouthWork began in the early nineties within the Spreydon Youth Community (SYC) which is the youth part of Spreydon Baptist Church in South-West Christchurch. Over time a strong leadership team had emerged, with a commitment to a whole lifestyle of leadership amongst youth. An increasing concern for the wider community also developed as it experienced substantial growth in the numbers of volunteers and the young people engaged with. SYC Trust was formed in 1997 to provide a more effective support structure.

During the same period a relationship with local high schools formed as leaders from SYC became involved as teaching staff and as volunteers. The work proved particularly effective at Riccarton High School (RHS). In 1999 SYC and RHS recognised this and formalised the relationship in order to resource these volunteers and ensure a long term sustainable work.

In 2000, SYC named the initiative “24-7 YouthWork” to reflect its holistic nature and its involvement with young people in all the various settings in a local community. It utilised two part-time paid youth workers at RHS and five volunteers working with Cashmere High (CHS) and Hillmorton High (HHS). The scheme was resourced by community funding and by contributions from RHS.

In 2001, both Cashmere and Hillmorton High Schools formalized SYC input into their schools. This saw more youth workers deployed; two at HHS, and three at CHS. Once again the funding came from school and church contributions and wider community funding. Another milestone was a 2003 research project on SYC which evaluated and confirmed the value of 24-7 Youth Work.

By 2003 24-7 was well established in all three schools. An exciting development was a joint venture between SYC, Hornby High School, and Hornby Presbyterian Church. This represented the first attempt of a local setting to reproduce the 24-7 programme and philosophy outside of SYC’s own part of the city and church.

Serious effort is being invested in order to help any local setting self motivated to establish 24-7 YouthWork in their own schools and communities.  Now in Canterbury there are now 30 24-7YouthWorkers in 9 Christchurch High schools, from 9 different churches. There are even more in the North Island. 24-7 YouthWork is now sustained and grown by a genuine family network that collaborates across the varied local settings – it has no centre just common values, strong relationships and a clear dream to help all young people by working together. 

24-7 YouthWork is a successful and unique youth work initiative.  By connecting work in local schools with services in the community, 24-7 YouthWork addresses a broad range of needs for mainstream youth. Its proven viability offers exciting possibilities locally and nationally.