A look at what we do.
Our Mission
Psy-Care Aotearoa is an entirely volunteer-run organisation, operating on-site at events and festivals around Te Wai Pounamu. We operate under a harm reduction framework, an approach that acknowledges the reality of drug use in our society and implements evidence-based practices such as drug education and on-the-ground support to minimise the risks associated with drug use.
We provide a calm and secure space for festival goers who are overwhelmed or struggling during the event, specifically if their distress is related to drug use, with the aim of making their experience safer and less traumatic. In situations of overdose or medical emergencies, we work in conjunction with the medical team, complementing their medical knowledge with our expertise in drug effects and interactions. We also provide education and resources on safer drug use and drug interactions so that people who choose to use drugs can do so in the safest manner possible.
The main users of our service are young New Zealanders and travellers who attend events over the summer. Many of the people who we help do not have a thorough knowledge of drugs’ dosage, effects or interactions, which is how they come to be in our care.
We are a registered incorporated society (NZBN 9429048772938).
Looking into the future
For the last ten years, we have operated as a grassroots movement, with our primary funding coming from festival organisers and community donations. During this time, we have grown in many ways; expanding our volunteer base significantly, developing a comprehensive training programme, and solidifying our organisational structure to allow the continued growth of our service.
Currently, we only attend a handful of events each summer, the largest of which has around 3,000 attendees. We would like to broaden our reach, including providing services at larger, more commercial events. Our goals for Psy-Care Aotearoa also include a much greater emphasis on drug education, as a core concept of harm reduction is the belief that people will make safer choices around drug use if they have access to better information. We envisage working with organisations in the NGO sector that support vulnerable communities (for example, homeless outreach centers) to help develop and implement drug education programmes, with a more long-term view of working alongside government bodies to improve drug education within institutions such as prisons and tertiary education providers. We would also like to develop wider training programmes in collaboration with essential services such as medics and security, as existing opportunities for relevant training in this field are limited.
As the flaws of prohibition become impossible to ignore (in Aotearoa and overseas), the harm reduction model is fast gaining traction. As it is incorporated into Aotearoa’s approach to drug use, we are incredibly optimistic about the potential it has for improving quality of life. Psy-Care Aotearoa is a concrete example of the benefits of utilising a harm reduction model at a grassroots level. As an organisation, we would like to see more support for our existing service and for similar services emerging in the wider community.
Contact us
info@psycare.nz
People
Ashlyn Hornsby
She/they/he
Founder, Coordinator
Ashlyn is the founder of Psy-Care Aotearoa and one of five coordinators that keep the organisation ticking along. It was first created in 2015/16 as a passionate and necessary response to some harm that Ashlyn saw and experienced in the community. Having previously worked as an event photographer, Ashlyn had a unique insight after people watching and seeing that those in distress had nowhere to go. They also have lived experience of being in distress at events for years prior to creating Psy-Care.
Through a peer-support framework, the creation of Psy-Care as a non-profit NGO was born, originally called ‘Safe Zone’. There was a grassroots movement toward reducing harm for those in distress for a range of reasons. At this time (and in years to come), the community saw a boom in non-profit creation for sustainability of harm reduction in our communities (e.g., Know Your Stuff, Fest-Aid, Ngā Kaitiaki – Festival Guardians, Deep Space Harm Reduction).
Ashlyn holds a Bachelor of Counselling and coordinates a community organisation in Te Tau Ihu as their day job. They attended the Canterbury University School of Fine Arts on an Emerging Leader’s Scholarship and they have completed certificates in Psychopharmacology and Restorative Justice. Their passions lie in the social justice realm, seeking equity and compassion for those having experienced harm in whatever form that may come. They have a particular interest in the emergence of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in Aotearoa.
Charlie Woodward
He/him
Coordinator
Charlie has been with Psy-Care Aotearoa since the summer of 2016/2017, after walking into the care space at a party, striking up a conversation and doing the dishes. In his time as Coordinator he has helped develop the core systems and training that make up the framework of the space today, taking inspiration and guidance from DanceWize (a similar organisation based in Australia).
These days he is responsible for volunteer recruitment and training and shares duties as an on-site coordinator.
Charlie has also spent over a decade performing at and sometimes hosting open mic poetry events.
Clare Gillard
She/her
Coordinator
Clare first got involved with Psy-Care at Twisted Frequency 2019/2020, where she immediately jumped in the deep end writing rosters, managing volunteers and generally immersing herself in the organisation. At that point in time she was brand new to the world of drug harm reduction, but she has found upskilling in this area hugely rewarding. As well as being one of the on-site coordinators at events, Clare has taken on a lot of the back-end organisation and is grateful for an outlet for her love of spreadsheets and systems.
Clare is currently completing a Bachelor of Laws at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, and is also one of the leads of Pōneke Party Guardians, an urban care team working at Pōneke events. She has previously worked as a mental health support worker and bartender, both of which provided transferable skills for care space mahi. For fun, Clare takes part in Pōneke’s gig scene as both a punter and promoter, takes mates tramping, and occasionally even goes to festivals without her Psy-Care hat on.
Penny Penwell
They/them
Coordinator
Penny has been a volunteer for Psy-Care Aotearoa since late 2020, and a coordinator since mid 2021. Hailing from Ōtautahi Christchurch, they are passionate about contributing to drug harm reduction, consent culture and safe spaces at music events. In their spare time, they can be found hiking, travelling, and conversing over herbal tea.
Penny currently works for mental health residential and crisis services, is studying towards a Master of Social Work (Applied) and has completed a Master of Peace and Conflict Studies and Bachelor of Criminal Justice. They have also taken courses in peer support; mediation; nonviolent communication; de-escalation; and psychological first aid.
Kiwa Kahukura Denton
He/They
Coordinator
He uri tēnei nō Ngāti Rārua, Te Ātiawa, me Ngāti Kahungunu.
Nō Motueka ahau, engari kei Ōtautahi tōku kāinga ināianei.
Kiwa connected with Psy-Care at Twisted Frequency in 2021, striking up a chat with Charlie while supporting a friend. They started volunteering with Psy-Care at the following Twisted Frequency and continued for a few years before expanding to the wider festival circuit as Psy-Care’s first 2iC during the ’24/’25 season.
Kiwa holds a Diploma of Youth Work (Distinction) and has recently completed a Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership alongside a Certificate of Arts in Māori and Indigenous Studies. He brings almost a decade of youth and community development experience and a passion for looking after people in need. This is grounded by his belief that fun is an essential part of living a good life, and that everyone deserves to have fun safely and happily.
For mahi, Kiwa spends his time supporting rangatahi takatāpui (Rainbow & Māori young people) as well as facilitating Rainbow competency and respectful relationships workshops. In his spare time, he enjoys sports, nerdy stuff, and squeezing in a kanikani as often as possible.
Psy-Care Aotearoa 