Sep 09 Youth Newsletter

DCH Youth Counselling and Support Team For young people aged 12-25 who live, work or study in the City of Darebin Darebin Community Health 125 Blake Street East Reservoir www.dch.org.au

What do we do? The youth counselling and support team provide a range of counselling, social support, group development, and health promotion programs to promote the social and emotional well-being and health of young people residing or connected in the Darebin Community. The youth team responds holistically to the health needs of socially isolated, marginalised, homeless and disengaged young people, their families and/or carer’s in our community. We work in a range of settings, offering flexible, innovative services which aim to promote social justice and early intervention.

Spring!

Who are we?

August has been a sad month as we had to say farewell to Kim Barrett, leaving us for British shores after six years of working at Darebin Community Health. In happier news we have been successful in receiving the Body Image grant from the Victorian Government to run the Circus program with Westside Circus. The program runs from September to November and will be divided into two parts; Circus and Stencil Art with an overall focus on the issue of body image.

Anne Robertson Team Leader, Youth and Family Counsellor, Innovative Health Services for HomeCIRCUS! less Youth (IHSHY) 84701145 or 0406 420 821 Asia Swida Generalist Youth Counsellor and Youth Worker 84701175 or 0418 518 356 Renee Handsaker

Generalist Youth Counsellor And in very exciting news the youth counselling and support team welcomes 8470 1814 or 0407815517 Asia Swida in the position of generalist Georgia McRae youth counsellor. Asia has a wealth of experience in counselling and social work, and will be taking on counselling clients as well as facilitating groups run by the Youth Team at DCH. Please help us make her feel welcome!

Youth Community Development Worker 8470 1817 or 0408 334 790 Manu Sheldon Casual Youth Worker

Youth work reflections………….. The PASH! program held in the new Reservoir Neighbourhood House in Cuthbert Street worked with a group of young women to discuss and promote issues around sexual health.

COUNSELLING Currently the Youth Team at DCH can offer generalist youth counselling, youth and family counselling and secondary consultations. Counselling can be provided across all our sites, at school, home or in the community where a young person feels comfortable.

Facilitated by a sexual health nurse and myself (a youth worker) these young women were incredibly insightful and soon became confident, engaged and opinionated about the different topics that we covered. We began to see all the participants really develop a supportive and safe space to be able to articulate their ideas, learn from each other, and gain new knowledge and insight into self care, positive relationships and sexual health. The experience was an enriching experience for me in my career as a youth worker, and I will miss the Tuesday nights a lot (especially the cooking, chatting and singing! Georgia McRae Youth Community Development Worker

September 2009

FOR YOUNG MEN On the last Thursday of each month we are running ‘come and try’ activities for young men between the ages of 12-25. No experience necessary and all activities are free of charge!

After our success in the Body Image grant, we are running a program for young women aged 16-24 interested in coming together to dispel myths about what our bodies can not do, and through circus learning how actually your body can do LOTS of things! A stencil artist will also be working with the women in the program to develop images around the theme of developing a positive body image. Please contact Anne 84701145 or Renee 84701814 with any referrals.

CIRCUS - September 24th run by Westside Circus this workshop with give the guys an introduction to Circus skills and have lots of fun in the process! DIVING - October 29th We will be heading down to the Olympic Pool in Albert Park (MSAC) to do an introductory course to Diving. SAILING - To top off the year we will be heading back to Albert Park, but this time to try our hand at Sailing at The Boatshed on Albert Park Lake. Please contact Georgia on 84701817 with any referrals. Georgia and the Yute Crew will also be at the new Reservoir Neighbourhood House every Thursday 4.30pm-7pm for a meal/drop in for young men.

Coppin’ it sweet Coppin’ It Sweet is a group run for young women 16-24 about managing issues such as anxiety, anger, depression, family, and relationships and will be running from November 9th—Dec 14th. Please contact Anne 84701145 with any referrals