We are an active team of Community Health Workers supporting communities and schools with a collective aim to promote the effective use of barriers and condoms; normalize regular sexual health check-ups; bust down myths about anything relating to sex and stigma; and most importantly raise the ongoing awareness of STI’s and the services offered by ASHS and other sexual health organisations.
Samora Kake (she/her)Samora is the Education Unit Coordinator and has been part of the team for ASHS since November 2021. She previously worked for the Youth Health Hub in West Auckland and has experience with rangatahi in high schools and other community settings. Samora is a proud advocate for our Rainbow communities and identifies as a proud Trans POC. Her Māori and Samoan roots have provided her with an indigenous netting of what it means to be takatāpui, whakawāhine and fa'afafine in Aotearoa today. In her spare time, you may catch her at a Vogue Ball alongside many involved in the Aotearoa Ballroom Scene. SamoraK@adhb.govt.nz.
Bex McFadgen (she/her)Bex has been working in health promotion since 2009 and has been a part of the team since 2018. She previously worked at Women’s Health Action facilitating the Body Image Leaders in Schools Program. Before that, she worked at Rape Prevention Education facilitating the BodySafe & Sex’N’Respect programs. Her focus is on unpacking privilege, positive body image, positive sexuality discourse, intersectional feminism, critical media literacy and dismantling rape culture. She is also the mum of three awesome children. Rebecca.McFadgen@adhb.govt.nz.
Spar Wong (he/him)Spar joined the Education Unit in May 2023. He previously worked in the HIV and sexual health sector in the community. He studied social work and had experience working in both community and hospital settings. During his practicum, he worked at Body Positive, a peer support organisation, and the Inpatient Allied Health team at Te Whatu Ora Waitematā. Spar is passionate about supporting ethnic and sexual minorities to access sexual health services and meet their sexual health needs through culturally appropriate and holistic sex-positive practices. SparW@adhb.govt.nz.
PSSP is an almost 30-year school-based programme that is delivered in secondary schools throughout the Auckland region. PSSP aims to formalise already existing networks by training students to work in a support and leadership-based role for their school environment and with their peers.
The training involves a five-day experiential, overnight, residential hui (Term 1), in which students explore their own attitudes and values in relation to sexuality and sexual Health as well as those of others. They do this through workshop presentations on a range of topics where the students are provided with up-to-date and accurate information and access to resources which they can then use to assist others in their communities when they return to school.
The delivery of PSSP in school communities is youth-led and run. Therefore, PSSP Students within schools work alongside their school staff, school health services and the Education Unit to identify and design key health promotions or initiatives to meet their specific school community needs.
