What do you get when you combine opportunities, nurturing, connectedness, optimism, resilience and empowerment?

The answer is Te Manu Toroa Trust's Oncore service, a free youth drop-in clinic that operates every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from the trust's mental health clinic on Cameron Rd.

Bronwyn Robertson, 14, and Trinity Davies, 12, sing with Hone Mare, 13, Joshua Thompson, 14, and Phredm Paki, 14, in the Boom class. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Oncore is more than a clever acronym, it's a Bay of Plenty District Health Board-funded initiative offering young people access to a range of support and health services

Te Manu Toroa mental health manager Mana Hape says the service is not solely for Maori but for all young people aged 12-19 who want a safe place to hang-out after school.

'We recognise this group of youth are either not enrolled with a GP or just don't go see doctors.

'The DHB sees youth hubs like this are a means for young people to drop in on their own accord and get help.

'Via the clinic they can access social workers and counsellors, doctors and nurses, plus dentists should they need to.”

Oncore has run for the last 18 months and works with about 15 young people per clinic, though they're able to cater for up to 30 at a push.

They provide a computer hub, music and arts rooms, media lounge, plus a space where young people can simply hang out in a safe environment.

During the last two weeks they've also offered Brazilian Jujitsu classes, which have helped a number of young people make significant developments in terms of demeanour and their 'levels of respect”.

Providing different mediums for young people to engage with has been hugely beneficial, says Mana.

'It's a canvas that we and their parents can watch these young people develop across, and our young people say it is a safe place they can come back to.

'They acknowledge they'd probably be out there smoking, taking drugs, drinking alcohol and doing other things if they weren't here.”

Tauranga Girls' College principal Pauline Cowens says the drop-in service provides a positive place for youth to connect outside of school and offers practical mentoring support to them.

'For the Tauranga Girls' College students I would say they value this opportunity that Te Manu Toroa have given them.

'We have seen growth in these students confidence and in their engagement with education from the interactions with the drop in centre.”

Te Manu Toroa Trust's Oncore Youth Drop In Clinic is a free service that runs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 3pm-6pm.

It operates out of the trust's mental health clinic, which can be found at 777 Cameron Rd in Tauranga.