About Us

Diamonds In The Rough Charitable Trust Operates Nationwide And Is Designed To Equip & Empower Young Families

The foundation of Diamonds in the Rough is connection and belonging. The catalyst for the birth of Diamonds was a near death car crash in June 2017 that propelled the Founder and Director, Shilpa Wilson, into searching for her purpose. The initial objective of Diamonds was for every young mother to know that regardless of having a baby at a young age, she can follow her purpose and passion. Diamonds was initiated at a teen parent unit called the Connected Learning Centre (CLC) in Otara and since then has branched through the nation. Diamonds operates within the education system through teen parent units and in the community. Areas of operation have included Auckland, Northland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Kawerau, Gisborne, Taranaki, Christchurch and Timaru. Diamonds in the Rough facilitates workshops, regular connect groups, mentoring (1:1 & group), provides psychosocial education, supports hauora (holistic wellbeing) and offers a safe, nonjudgmental space for young families to belong. We also operate a Facebook group called Ataahua for our young mama that operates using a holistic model (mind, body, spirit & soul) aligning with Te Whare Tapa Wha.

Our Objective

Is to instill self-believe, self-love and empower young families. We endeavor to demonstrate that having a child at a young age does not restrict nor negate them from being able to follow their passion and vision for life.

Our Founder

Shilpa Wilson is of Indian origin and migrated to New Zealand with her family over 25 years ago. She has a Master or Science specializing in Psychology and a Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Psychology. Shilpa worked as a registered psychologist for 12 years before she stepped into the role of managing Diamonds in the Rough in 2022. Shilpa has a wide range of expertise including intellectual disabilities, brain injury, child and adolescent trauma, attachment and more. She has a passion for working with children and adolescents, and those that have experienced trauma. She has volunteered her expertise in supporting Diamonds for over five years now.

Aside from Diamonds, Shilpa also provides services and support to other organisations and schools to support children and adolescents who experience challenges. She also provides staff and parent training.

Special thanks to

✆ (+64) 022 685 7251

✉ diamondsintherough19@gmail.com

16 Waterbury Place Māngere, Auckland 2022