Phone System - Donate Now!

Youthline’s 0800 helpline is in desperate need of a phone system upgrade. The current system was implemented over seven years ago, and can no longer provide the level of functionality that is required to run the complex call centre Youthline requires to effectively and efficiently provide this service.

The current system is no longer supported by external technicians, and experiences periodic faults with software that can no longer be updated, and hardware that must be purchased second hand as it is no longer being produced by manufacturers. There is also no guarantee that we will find it or that once purchased, it will be under warrantee. Such circumstances mean that short term solutions are constantly being sought in order to stretch the lifespan of a legacy system.

As a result of these limitations and the increasing need to obtain accurate and complex statistical analysis from call data, a phone system upgrade is an essential development to support and inform Youthline’s work in the community. This project involves fully scoping the requirements of functionality, reporting and hardware needs, sourcing funding streams, and selecting a vendor to implement the upgrade.

If you would like to DONATE to this project online by credit card, please click here

For more details on how to make offline donations (by post and regular giving) click here

COSTS OF A NEW PHONE SYSTEM

The cost of upgrading Youthline’s phone system is a considerable undertaking and requires a large financial investment to cover staff time, software, hardware and vendor implementation. It is estimated that a full phone system upgrade will cost from $200,000 to $210,000.

Youthline receives little governmental financial support for the Youth Helpline and each year we rely on community trusts and grants, corporate sponsors, and the generosity of ordinary New Zealanders across the country to make the service possible.

We have raised $100,000 (with help from a lot of people and a lot of sausage sizzles!) but still there is another $100,000 to go.

Seems like an awful lot of money but if we break it down it’s:
100 people donating a $1000 or
1000 people donating $100 or
10,000 people donating $10

We believe we can keep our system going for another few months but it is getting harder and harder to find spare parts and it is so old that we can no longer find technicians willing to service it.

And that’s why we’re turning to you...

Your gift to Youthline will be a gift to thousands of young people and parents who contact us every year.

If you would like to find out more about this project, please contact Funding Coordinator Priya Bhikha on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling (09) 361 4179