Weka, which stands for wellness, empathy, kindness, Aotearoa, was founded by mental health nurse and educator Matthew Peppercorn in 2018.
The group worked with all ages to help them overcome issues around mental health and wellbeing by providing unique and varying individual and group sessions, free of charge.
Peer support worker Holly Brammall became involved in Weka during her studies.
"Having travelled a very strong journey myself, then trying to go through the systems, I realised it's all very medical.
"Coming along to Weka and meeting other people that have shared journeys with you — there's a powerful source right there."
She explained that many of their clients, after experiencing growth, ended up taking on roles within the mental health sector.
"For me, that's a really big driver, because seeing people grow from being in their darkest days, coming through, to then going back and giving back to the community, it's just so powerful."
Weka provided a wide range of sessions and resources for their clients, including one-on-one sessions, family or group sessions, weekly Monday community meetings and activities such as art, walking groups and meditation.
She said the peer support workers went above and beyond, often times going out to meet new clients in the places they felt most comfortable.
"Some of the people that come in — they can't speak when they come in.
"They're so scared to speak because of past experiences, then they come in here and they grow and they find a community, they find their family within Weka."
The group had supplied support for more than 5000 clients and planned to grow its reach even more in 2024, despite a lack of government funding.
"Even though we might not be funded, and keep getting turned down, people keep turning up on our door and the services keep recommending and referring people to us because they don't know where else to turn."
They were deeply rooted in tikanga Māori and made a big effort to involve various cultural values — especially those of their clients.
Some of Weka’s clients had gone from needing support to becoming peer leaders and running their own education sessions.
They felt strongly about starting the new year with a positive mindset, leaving their many obstacles in the past.
"We've just kept going.
"We kept going through Covid, we've kept going through lack of funding, we've kept going even though we lost our space, but we still have support here."
With proper funding the group could achieve much more, she said.
"We keep running on nothing, but if we had even a little bit of support, how many more lives can we change?"
People could support Weka through donations, whether that be monetary or equipment for their sessions.
Ms Brammall wanted those who may be interested to do a session with Weka to know they would be heavily supported in her care.
"I'll put my arm around you, walk alongside you and share my strength of experience and learned knowledge to show you it will be OK in dark and bright days.
"You’re not alone, this will lift.
"Walk together, not alone, share what we know."
