The Greater Geelong City Youth Council is urging its senior counterparts to make youth mental health a priority in the region by setting up a central hub in the city.
Junior Deputy Mayor Angelle Mackay prepared and presented the Youth Council’s quarterly report at the last council meeting, highlighting the need for a ‘central youth space’ for young people in Geelong.
“We believe an integrated youth space in central Geelong would enable young people to access the support services they need to protect their safety and well-being, and we believe the benefits would far outweigh the costs of creating such a space,” Mackay said.
The report aligns with the Youth Council’s priority areas of ‘mental health and wellbeing’ and ‘healthy and respectful relationships’, noting a ‘safe and inclusive’ youth space to address the rise significant mental health issues and the social impacts of COVID-19 evident among young people.
The report further mentions the group’s activities to date, including participation in Deakin University’s Growing Up in Cities project, participation in the Barwon Water community consultation, and the Racism, Raw & Real forum.
Geelong Mayor Murrihy congratulated the Youth Council for their work throughout the year.
“Our Youth Council is a very capable group of young people who are doing brilliant work advocating for their peers, and in particular, have brought to light the need for more spaces for young people in Geelong,” he said. .
“Our junior members played a key role in the co-design workshops as part of the City’s feasibility study, which will inform decision-making regarding the future development of carrefours jeunesse in the municipality.
“I enjoyed discussing Youth Council priorities during our Councilor Connect mentorship program, and look forward to their recommendations for the rest of the year.”
As part of the Youth Hub Feasibility Study, the city’s Community Infrastructure Planning team held two days of workshops to solicit ideas from youth for the proposed facility to meet the needs of the community. community.
Ms Mackay spoke about the experiences she and her fellow advisers have had in 2022.
“Participating in the feasibility study workshops for future youth hubs and sharing our views on the need for space and design ideas has been very rewarding,” said Ms Mackay.
“I also particularly enjoyed the Racism, Raw & Real forum, where we heard from a number of First Nations people and people from diverse cultures and languages who shared their personal experiences of racism.
“I encourage everyone to attend the event in the years to come.”
The Youth Council’s fourth and final report for the year will be presented on 13 December.
