Suicide prevention charity hopes for generosity at Womad gates
A charity set up to support Taranaki people going through their hardest time in life is hoping that those attending Womad in New Plymouth this weekend will help to pay its power bills for the coming year.
Taranaki Retreat, a community-led suicide prevention support organisation, has been chosen as the festival’s 2024 charity gate collectors by Womad partner OMV.
Representatives of the suicide prevention team will be shaking charity buckets at the gates of the three-day music, arts and dance festival from Friday.
Taranaki Retreat chief executive Caroline Silk said the aim was to raise $15,000. “That’s the cost of our power bill for Taranaki Retreat and our support hub, Waimanako. To pay that for a whole year would power us up and hugely contribute to our operational costs,” she said.
Taranaki Retreat founder Jamie Allen said the ethos of the wellness charity aligned with the spirit of the festival.
“Womad is a truly holistic experience, and that connects perfectly with our kaupapa. Our approach is to offer support in a holistic way, often through elements such as relaxation, music, dance and communities coming together,” he said.
Since it was established in 2014, Taranaki Retreat has helped more than 10,000 people. There are 400 people on its books at any one time.
As well as collecting at the Womad gates, the team will be raising awareness about Taranaki Retreat and how it can help people.
“Not everyone rocking up to Womad is going to be experiencing the best of life circumstances, and we want people to know that we’re here for you,” Allen said.
OMV New Zealand’s communications manager, Tahlia Rangiwananga, said Taranaki Retreat was chosen for the Womad gate collection initiative to celebrate the inspiring work it did to raise awareness and provide access to mental and emotional healthcare.
Last year, OMV provided Taranaki Retreat with funding to expand its Waimanako premises in central New Plymouth.
Taranaki Retreat is looking for volunteers to help with the gate collection. Those interested in assisting can email Caroline at oncaroline@taranakiretreat.org.nz.