At The Loft, we provide information, advice, advocacy, and connections to essential support services tailored to your unique needs. While we don’t directly offer specialised services ourselves, we help you navigate the support system by identifying the right services in Christchurch and connecting you with them. Whether you need guidance on housing, mental health, family violence, or financial support, our team is here to assist.

No, there are no eligibility criteria to access support at The Loft. Anyone, regardless of their situation, can come to us for guidance and support. Whether you’re facing a crisis, dealing with a personal challenge, or simply don’t know where to start, we can help you make sense of your situation and connect you with the right services.

The Loft does not provide emergency housing or direct financial assistance. However, we advocate on your behalf in certain circumstances and connect you with the right services that offer housing and financial support.

For housing, we can help you register for social housing, apply for emergency accommodation, or access tenancy advice. While we can’t guarantee housing, we work to ensure you are connected to the best possible options.

For financial assistance, we can guide you through Work and Income (WINZ) processes and advocate for you if you've been denied support.

For food support, while we are not a food bank, we have a small supply of donated food that may provide temporary relief. If you need more substantial food assistance, we will connect you to food banks and community food programmes.

Yes, we can help you understand what financial or social supports you may be eligible for through WINZ or other government agencies. If you've been denied assistance, our team can advocate on your behalf to request a review of your case. We aim to make navigating government support easier by ensuring you have the right information and helping you access the support you’re entitled to.

No, appointments are not required. You can drop in anytime between 9 AM – 5 PM, Monday to Friday, and request to see a Community Connector. However, depending on demand, there may be a wait time, or we may need to schedule an appointment for a later time or day.

When you arrive, you'll meet with a Community Connector in a private room to discuss your situation. They'll ask questions to understand your needs and complete an assessment form to ensure we provide the most effective support.

Your session will involve:
✅ Addressing immediate needs (e.g., food, safety concerns)
✅ Providing advice, information, and resources
✅ Creating a personalised support plan
✅ Referring you to specialised services (with your consent)

The Loft operates as a short-term intervention service—we provide support in one session and then connect you to longer-term services that can assist further. If you need help again in the future, you’re always welcome to return, and we’ll complete a new assessment.

A typical session lasts around one hour, but this may vary depending on the complexity of your situation.

Yes, you are welcome to bring a support person, such as a friend, family member, or advocate, to your session.

Yes, your privacy is our priority. All information you share with us is kept secure and confidential, in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020. You can read our privacy policy here.

If we need to refer you to other services, we will first seek your informed consent before sharing any information. We will also keep you updated on any contact we have with external services. This process ensures that you don’t have to repeatedly explain your situation—we’ll handle the handover to make the process as smooth as possible.

While you cannot seek support on someone else’s behalf without their consent, you can encourage them to visit The Loft or offer to accompany them. To create a personalised support plan and make referrals, the person needing assistance must participate in an assessment and give consent.

That’s exactly why we’re here! You don’t need to have all the answers—our role is to listen to your situation, identify your needs, and connect you to the right support. Our team has extensive knowledge of available services and can guide you toward the best options for your situation.

Yes! If language is a barrier, we can arrange translation services to ensure you can communicate effectively during your session. Additionally, we can connect you with culturally appropriate services that may better understand your background and specific needs.

Yes, The Loft is fully wheelchair accessible and inclusive. We are Hāpai Certified, which means we accommodate a wide range of accessibility needs. If you require any specific support to access our services, please let us know—we are committed to making our space welcoming and accessible for everyone.

All support services at The Loft are completely free. Any referrals we make will also be to free services wherever possible. If there are any potential costs involved in accessing further support, we will work with you to explore options that minimise financial barriers.