Unit helps teen mums get ahead

Without the support of Titiro Whakamua, Hutt Valley teen parent unit (TPU) Samara Cotton may never have become a social worker.

Cotton, who was a student at TPU 12 years ago, had her son at the age of 16. She said the stigma of being a teen parent was tough but TPU was a ‘‘hub’’ where she gained confidence, continued her education and developed her parenting skills.

Cotton went on to tertiary study and is now a qualified family support social worker.

For 20 years the Hutt Valley TPU has been a haven for students like Cotton who wanted to continue their secondary school education amid the challenge of parenting.

In June the centre will celebrate that achievement by holding a reunion for past and present students.

What started in 1997 as a small, once-a-week support group at the Orongomai Marae has become a comprehensive secondary school programme.

Childcare services are on-site and new babies are often kept in the classroom with their mother so breastfeeding is supported.

One of three teen parent schools in the greater Wellington region, the unit is a satellite of Heretaunga College but takes students from all over the region. .

Head teacher Debbie Whitely said the programme was a ‘‘place of second chances’’, for most of the students.

She credited student success to family support and the students’ own resilience.

‘‘Family support plays a huge part, but it’s their determination and persistence that gets them there.’’

There was still an ‘‘implicit judgement’’ on teenage parents, which made it difficult for some of them to begin to know where and how to ask for help.

Cotton, who dedicated part of her time to working at TPU, said the stigma of being a teen parent was an issue many of the students had to work through.

Most students who attend the unit qualified for the Young Parents Payment which covered course costs and essential living costs.

Students must be between 16 to 19 and in some form of education or training to qualify. While the incentive was a good start, it was not perfect, Cotton said.

‘‘For starters, we do get students who are younger than 16 who just don’t qualify.’’

A student was never turned away because they could not afford it. ‘‘We just make it work.’’

The centre will host an afternoon tea on June 9 from 1pm. There would also be a dinner depending on confirmed numbers.

Past or present student? RSVP via Titiro Whakamua HVTP on Facebook or contact the office.