#254 'Power Of Connection', Jenny Horst CEO at Upside Mentoring Aotearoa

Jenny Horst, Chief Executive at Upside Mentoring Aotearoa, joined Purposely Podcast to talk about the pressures facing young people in Aotearoa—and how mentoring can help build stability and confidence in uncertain times.

She spoke about the challenges of leading a charity as economic uncertainty puts more pressure on funding and growth plans. Despite this, the focus remains clear: supporting consistent, safe mentoring relationships that help young people build emotional strength and a sense of belonging.

Jenny emphasised that youth mentoring—when done well—is a practical, cost-effective approach that leads to better outcomes in education, mental and physical health, and resilience.

The statistics she shared paint a stark picture. New Zealand has the highest youth suicide rate in the OECD. One in five young people are experiencing serious mental health challenges. Fewer than half are regularly attending school. Meanwhile, Upside Mentoring’s work is showing meaningful results. Independent analysis suggests that every dollar invested delivers $4.70 in social value.

Jenny also spoke about the influence of online content on young people—especially boys aged 9 to 13—who are increasingly exposed to harmful messages online. Upside’s mentoring programme supports young people to think critically about the messages they see and helps them develop their own values and sense of identity.

Looking ahead, Upside is continuing to extend the reach of its mentoring programme—including through partnerships with organisations embedding Upside’s mentoring model into their own mahi. Building long-term partnerships—with funders and community groups alike—will be essential to this next stage.

A key thread in Jenny’s message is the power of connection: strong, trusting relationships between mentors and young people can shift lives in lasting ways. Supporting youth isn’t the job of one person or organisation—it requires shared commitment. Whether through funding, volunteering, or partnership, we all have a role to play in helping the next generation grow, thrive, and feel they belong.