When Janelle discovered The Bach, it immediately felt like the right fit. Having previously worked in residential services with adults, she knew she wanted to continue working in respite but wanted to shift her focus to rangatahi.
Although she graduated with a degree in Criminology, a path in social work was calling her name. “I wanted to do something practical and work with people on the frontline,” she says. “I was already working as a peer support worker, so social work felt like the natural next step.”
Her connection to the work is deeply personal.
“I’ve had my own experiences with respite services and mental health support, so being able to give back and contribute to positive change in this space is really meaningful.”
That lived experience helps build trust with young people who access The Bach. Rather than being seen as authority figures, kaimahi (staff) are often viewed as approachable adults who understand what they’re going through.
The Bach supports young people aged 16-24 through respite care and a day programme, helping them build confidence and strengthening their wellbeing before reaching crisis point.
“Sometimes the biggest impact is simply providing a safe space,” says Janelle. “You can see the weight lift off their shoulders when they arrive.”
Whether it’s community outings, life-skills activities, education support or creative programmes, the focus is on working alongside rangatahi and supporting what matters to them.
Janelle believes one of the biggest challenges facing rangatahi mental health is being misunderstood.
“Too often, young people’s struggles are dismissed as typical teenage behaviour. A lot of young people don’t feel believed when they’re asking for help.”
One of her proudest moments came when a young person reached out to her while struggling and asked for support.
“Together we created a safety plan with practical steps they could use when they felt overwhelmed in the future. What made me most proud was that they felt safe enough to come and ask for help.”
For Janelle, that’s what the Bach is all about.
“When we show young people that we genuinely care, we get more buy-in. That’s when meaningful change can happen.”
If you know a young person struggling mentally and would like to get in touch with the team, please email bach.referrals@emergeaotearoa.org.nz
