Hope Navigators are community-based, peer-support workers who provide a constant source of encouragement and assistance to those in their community around finding support services and hope in their situation. The Hope Navigator is an anchor through the process of seeking support, they ensure that people are informed about their options and know their rights.

The Hope Navigator regularly meets with the client and checks in on progress and helps remove barriers and address challenges.

The presence of the Hope Navigator as people access services has been crucial. Many clients are suspicious of services and agencies and may not have accessed them without someone else going with them, to support and advocate for them.

Hope Navigators work with clients in a holistic way, finding assistance for whatever is needed, and encouraging them in all aspects of their life. Clients know their Hope Navigator goes out of their way to find them the help that they need, for as long as they need it.

The community has been very responsive to working with Hope Navigators from their own community and who have been through the things they have been through, making them relatable, compassionate and non-confrontational.

Having a physical space and place that community members feel comfortable in has been significant. In fact, 91% of clients who worked with Hope Navigators last year were walk-ins. The programme meets people where they are and is in a familiar and safe place.  We do also have mobile Navigators who are based at Southmall on Tuesdays and will also be based at the Clendon, Manurewa libraries and Takanini over the next few months.