Youth programme grows

Communication training specialist Amy Scott (left) and Central Otago Victim Support service co...
Communication training specialist Amy Scott (left) and Central Otago Victim Support service co-ordinator Joy Watson are bringing the Get Dotted communication seminar to Alexandra, following the programme's success at Ranfurly. Photo by Rosie Mannis.
Alexandra youth should benefit from a mass communication seminar in the town next month, which will see up to 300 people learning about their behavioural tendencies.

Communication training specialist Amy Scott, of Ranfurly, has organised a Get Dotted evening in conjunction with Central Otago Victim Support service co-ordinator Joy Watson.

The pair were involved in New Zealand's first community training seminar using corporate techniques, which took place at Ranfurly last year.

Ms Scott, who has been working in Wellington, said other Central Otago towns became interested in hosting their own Get Dotted programmes after the success of Ranfurly's event.

Alexandra was suggested as the next Get Dotted venue by a young resident who attended the Ranfurly evening, she said.

Ms Scott said to date more than half of about 300 tickets for the August 21 event had sold in principle, as people pledged their support for the initiative.

In the past week, Ms Scott and Mrs Watson have travelled throughout Central Otago holding meetings with organisations, schools, police, and businesses to explain what Get Dotted is and how it will benefit the community.

Money generated from Get Dotted will be held in a trust especially set up to help youth in Alexandra and the wider area.

Mrs Watson said the trust would be managed by Central Otago Victim Support, as well as other support agencies, and would enable youth from a variety of backgrounds and in a variety of situations to get the help and support.

Money from Get Dotted will first be used to fund a three-day youth course in Alexandra, which will comprise up to 60 young people from the town.

Ms Scott said the course, which was also trialled in Ranfurly last year, worked to empower youth and teach them communication skills for the future.

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