Dio teens make it happen for teens

Enterprising girls from Waikato Diocesan School have created an ideal 'teen space' at Hospice Waikato's Rainbow Place.

Thanks to the group, what was a bare room is a now a bright, comfortable and inviting area.

Rainbow Place manager Penny Parsons says the space created is just 'awesome' and the Rainbow Place teenage group love it.

"The girls completed the project right at the end of last year, so we didn't have time to celebrate their achievement.

"Now we can properly thank them for their time, effort and fundraising and the amazing results."

The project adopted by the girls was to create a 'teenage lounge/hangout zone' for the Rainbow Place Teen Support Group.

As part of their planning, they met with teenagers to find out what they wanted and produced a questionnaire for them to fill in. They then came up with a plan, proposal, budget and even a model of what they wanted to create.

The girls received a Merit Award for their efforts when they participated in the BP Young Enterprise Challenge, which included $500 towards the project.

This wasn't enough to complete the project, so they also fundraised with raffles and involved local businesses in supporting the initiative.

The room - designed specifically for teens from 14 years and up affected by life threatening conditions in some way - is equipped with television and DVD units, sound system, magazines, books and casual seating.