The Navigator Service

Introduction to the Navigator Service

The Navigator Service is a pilot programme offering independent mental health and wellbeing support to former Dilworth students living in New Zealand who are survivors of sexual abuse that occurred while they were at school.

The survivor-led programme has been developed by the Project Reform Steering Group (PRSG) – a collaboration of survivors, Old Boys, School and Board leadership – to provide ongoing support beyond those offered through the Dilworth Redress Programme and the Listening Service.

The Navigator Service will run as a two-year pilot funded by Dilworth Trust from 17 March 2026.

What is the Navigator Service?

The Navigator Service will provide a range of options to access personalised mental health and wellbeing support in the years ahead.

It is a contracted service delivered independently of Dilworth by Better Blokes Tautoko Tāne Tāmaki Makaurau, a charitable trust with over 15 years’ experience supporting male survivors of sexual abuse.

Dilworth survivors will be connected initially with a trained support worker from Better Blokes who has lived experience of sexual harm at Dilworth. He will help survivors:

• Talk with someone when needed.
• Understand and navigate mental health options available across New Zealand.
• Access personalised pathways and introductions to a wide range of services.
  

Who can use the Navigator Service?

The Navigator Service is available to all former Dilworth students living in New Zealand who are survivors of sexual abuse that occurred while they were at school. This includes:

• Survivors who have completed their six-months of funded therapy through the Dilworth Redress Programme.
• Survivors who haven’t registered with the Dilworth Redress Programme.

What will it cost survivors?

Services offered by the Navigator Service have no cost (with one exception explained below).
Better Blokes Peer Support Services are also free of charge, for as long as is needed.

Services Incurring Costs:

• If survivors want to keep seeing a therapist after their six-months of funded Dilworth Redress Programme therapy ends, the Navigator Service provides for additional sessions.
• Survivors can have up to four follow-up sessions each year during the two-year pilot offered at very low cost.
• Survivors will be asked to contribute a small portion of the fee (around 10-15%). For example, if a session costs $200, survivors would pay around $20–$30 and the Navigator Service will cover the rest.
  

How will the Navigator Service be accessed?

Full details on accessing the Navigator Service are available on the Better Blokes website by clicking the button below.

What about the Listening Service?

The Listening Service remains unchanged and is available to any Dilworth Old Boy or family member who needs to speak with a trained clinical psychologist about their experience at Dilworth. The Listening Service can be reached by emailing [email protected].

Dilworth survivors who have participated in the Redress Programme and been referred for counselling through the Listening Service can access The Navigator Services - either at the same time or after their funded therapy ends.

Questions? 

Please visit the FAQ page or write to [email protected].