Cambridge Life Skills

Welcome to Cambridge Life Skills, located at 56 Queen Street in Cambridge, New Zealand. At Cambridge Life Skills, we believe that the most important thing in the world is people. As the Maori proverb states, "He Tangata, He Tangata, He Tangata" - it is the people, the people, the people.

Our institution is dedicated to providing complimentary counselling services to the 13 public schools in the Cambridge district. Thanks to the support of our community and grants received, we are able to offer this vital support to tamariki and rangatahi, aged five to 15 years old, with their families often included in the therapeutic process.

Our counselling service serves as an integral part of the support network available to students in Cambridge public schools. If you would like to refer a child for our services, please complete the referral form in the footer of our webpage, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We also kindly ask that you read our Waitlist Policy.

Cambridge Life Skills is a charitable organization that relies solely on the generosity and support of our amazing Cambridge community. We do not receive any government funding, but instead, work tirelessly to raise funds to provide these essential services. If you are able to contribute to the cost of these services, your contribution will pay it forward for the next child in need. Let's join hands to change all children's futures.

Since our counselling service began in 1992, there has been a steady increase in the need for such support in our community. Changes in society have exposed many children to a wide range of issues, including bullying, abuse, and family problems. Often, children lack the necessary skills to navigate these challenges. Cambridge Life Skills aims to offer counselling, support, and encouragement so that children and young people can work through these issues and thrive.

At the end of the counselling process, we value your feedback. We will send a short evaluation form for you to complete, as your experience is valuable to us and helps us maintain a high-quality service.

In addition to our services within the school setting, we also provide advice and recommendations for counselling outside of school. Our counsellors have an ethical responsibility to work within their scope of practice, and sometimes referring to other more appropriate services is in the best interest of the young person and their family. We have a range of services to refer to, ensuring that each individual receives the support that is best for them in both the short term and long term.

We are a mobile service primarily working at your child's school, but we can also provide counselling at our dedicated counselling room in Cambridge upon request.

Please remember, if you are in an emergency situation or if someone you know is at risk, call 111 immediately.

Thank you for considering Cambridge Life Skills as a resource for counselling and support. We are here to help children and young people overcome their challenges and build a brighter future.