About us
Why we’ve put this together
Event organisers and venue managers want to run successful, safe, and fun events. Care spaces at events can help people who are in distress, using non-judgemental peer support methods.
There are several existing care space organisations in Aotearoa that have been developed by passionate and skilled people.
In November 2023, Holly Bennett presented the findings from her Master’s of Science (specialising in Psychology) research thesis. This thesis explored how festival organisers and safe space providers in Aotearoa understand and value the service they are providing.
Following this presentation, a working group was formed to identify how this research could be used in Aotearoa. The group recommended developing this guidance as a critical next step.
This guidance aims to support the continued development of care spaces at events by establishing a broadly applicable understanding of what care spaces at events are and guidance on how to run them effectively.
We hope this guidance continues to support the development of shared training and other educational resources.
How this guidance can help you
Every event is different.
Read this guidance and discuss it with your team as you plan your event or plan how to provide care spaces at an event. It provides useful things to consider that can help you to deliver effective services, as well as templates and resources to help with your process.
Who is in the group
These resources were commissioned by Health Promotion, Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora. The NZ Drug Foundation facilitated the working group sharing their expertise. Much thanks and appreciation to those who've contributed.
Writers:
Holly Bennett (Independent)
Penny Penwell (Psy-Care Aotearoa)
Caitlin Gresham (Independent)
Georgia Mann (NZ Drug Foundation)
Zoë Deans (NZ Drug Foundation)
Ben Birks Ang (NZ Drug Foundation)
Supported by:
Mark Lyne (Health NZ)
Clare Gillard (Psy-Care Aotearoa)
Charlie Woodward (Psy-Care Aotearoa)
Mark Gosling (Spark Arena)
Alice Larmer (Spark Arena)
Ashlyn Hornsby (Psy-Care Aotearoa)
Rachel Bergersen (Red Badge)
Andy Gollings (Red Badge)
Maud Black (Safe spaces provider)
Bex Busfield (Safe spaces provider)
Codey Bell (Te Kete Pounamu)
David Bavage (Tātaki Auckland Unlimited)
Neville Carseldine (Tātaki Auckland Unlimited)
Rachel Harrison (SoundCheck Aotearoa)
Melanie Calvesbert (SoundCheck Aotearoa)
Tyana Rowe (Rhythm and Vines)
Dan Turner (Rhythm and Vines)
Mollie Durey (Haven)
Simon Dobson-McRae (Auckland Live)
Anna McGreevy (AUM)
Stella Donachie (Red Badge)
Disclaimer
The information contained on this website is intended as a general guide. While reasonable measures have been taken to ensure that the information is current and accurate as at 12 July 2024, we cannot accept any liability for any inaccuracy, omission, or deficiency in relation to the information. Nor can we accept any liability for any action taken in reliance on anything contained on this website.
This website is not intended as a specific guide on how to respond to sexual harm.
All links to other websites are provided for your convenience and we cannot accept any liability or responsibility as to the content, accuracy or use of information posted by other websites.
If you need help now, contact:
Lifeline Aotearoa 0800 543 354
Get in touch with us
If you have any questions or want to share tips, knowledge, or personal experiences, use the contact form.