In August 2022 Methodist Mission Southern (MMS) opened a Young Mums Transition House (YMTH) in Waihōpai, which provides a safe and nurturing environment for teenage mums and their pēpi/babies – helping them to successfully transition towards independent living.

While teenage pregnancies have been on the decline in New Zealand, our rates remain high compared to other countries. Without timely support, some of our younger mums may be at greater risk of experiencing negative health, education, employment and social outcomes, but when the right support is provided, young mums and their pēpi are absolutely capable of thriving.

The Young Mums Transition House receives referrals from Govt agencies, NGO/community providers, and self-referrals from rakatahi and their whānau. MMS provides specialist support via our Taituarā a Hāpori/Community Services Specialist (as in our other transitional houses) to support our residents to work towards their social, education and employment goals, and to find suitable options for independent living. Our team of support workers in the house ensure residents are safe and supported while living in the house and are developing important living skills – empowering young mums to be successful and self-reliant, and to raise healthy, resilient tamariki.

With our strengths-based, client-led practices, we support young mums to have successful futures.

 Eligibility: 

• Who are primarily between 16 and 24 years of age.
• Who are either partway through their pregnancy and/or who have a child under 24 months.
• Primary caregiver.
• Otago or Southland.
• Struggling to find housing.
• Otherwise independent.
• Maintaining a stable and substance-free lifestyle while residing with us.
• When resident, stay most nights at house. 

 Purpose of the Programme:

• Accommodate 3 mothers and their children at a time.
• Emergency overnight support available.
• Individual case management and action plans with the Taituarā a Hāpori/Community Services Specialist and Kairuruku Whare – Kaupapa Rakatahi/YMTH Co-ordinator using Feedback Informed Treatment and quality assurance systems to monitor progress towards goals.
• Supported access to parenting resources, ongoing supports, and any maternal health care that may be needed.
• Individual assistance with accommodation searching, and any goals related to employment or education.
• Ongoing post-residency support from Taituarā a Hāpori (Community Servicest Specialist) to ensure successful transitions.

If you would like to find out more about the operation of YMTH, please contact Laura Wilson
at lauraw@mmsouth.org.nz or 027 340 3898