Deacon Trust, a Charitable Trust committed to delivering effective mental health services in our social and faith communities, invites you to join us as we embark on an exciting new phase of our work.

Deacon Training Academy (DTA) is a formal training programme that sits alongside our two other projects: HeartSpace (short courses in mental health awareness and support) and HeadSpace (public seminars on mental health topics).

DTA is NZQA-accredited to provide training for students to attain the Level 4 Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Mental Health and Addiction). As we anticipate the start of our first course in February 2025 we are now accepting student enrolments. Our students come from varied backgrounds, some with their own lived experience of mental health issues, and others who are motivated by personal encounters with people needing help and support. Through a careful selection process, we are seeking those who are oriented towards serving others and who genuinely want to make a difference in these times of mental health crisis.

To assist those who may have difficulty paying the fees, DTA hopes to offer a range of scholarships that are supported by companies or private individuals. Donors can choose the amount they wish to contribute and set specific criteria if they have preferences for who they want to support. While all donations are gratefully received, we suggest partial scholarships starting from $1,000, up to full scholarships. Total fees for 2025 are $6,210, a lower rate than most institutions offering the same qualification.

Would you be willing to consider donating a scholarship? All activities of DTA are underpinned by adherence to formal policies and each student scholarship application will be assessed according to strict standards, a process that the donor can participate in if they wish. Each scholarship recipient will provide feedback to their donor on how the scholarship has affected their learning experience. Donating organisations may also benefit from the relationship with DTA in regard to accessing support for emerging mental health needs within their own contexts.

Please do get in touch if you would like further information or wish to become a donor. DTA receives no government funding; we rely on external funders to support our programme. If you would prefer to donate to the organisation’s operations as a whole we are grateful for any kind of contribution. As a charitable trust, donations from individuals qualify for IRD rebates.

To discuss further, please contact Jeremy Baker at jeremy@deacon.org.nz, or phone 021 257 5624. Alternatively, our manager, Lois Cameron, can be contacted at lois@deacon.org.nz or by phone: 027 293 9270. We will be glad to hear from you!