The critical work of Blackwood Youth Action in supporting the mental well-being of at-risk young people in the Warren-Blackwood region is to be boosted through a recent Lotterywest grant.
Youth Minister Dave Kelly joined Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie in presenting grant funding of $297,274 to Blackwood Youth Action (BYA) Inc. during a visit to Bridgetown today.
BYA Inc. is located in Bridgetown, and has been supporting at-risk and marginalised young people in the Shires of Boyup Brook, Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Nannup and Manjimup, since 2013.
BYA Inc. works directly with young people in these regional communities, providing access to a range of support services and facilities that enable marginalised and at-risk youth the opportunity to flourish.
BYA is widely acknowledged as the lead service provider for youth mental health in the region, providing approximately 3,000 sessions with young people each year.
BYA recently secured a 21-year lease on Bridgetown's former Police Officer in Charge building, and the Lotterywest grant will fund renovations and fitting out of the building as a youth space, specifically targeting at-risk and marginalised young people.
The youth space will enable BYA to provide psychological and emotional support, as well as practical services such as a kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities.
Additional office space within the new facility will allow for visiting health and human services professionals to provide confidential services within the youth space.
As stated by Youth Minister Dave Kelly:
"Once established, the stand-alone youth space will be the only one of its kind in the inner south-west of WA and will improve BYA's capacity to support young people in crisis.
"Many young people report they find 're-telling their story' to different service providers very difficult, so the youth space hub model will enable 'warm handovers' between service providers and support staff, reducing the need for young people to repeatedly share their background.
"It will be a welcoming, safe space for young people to gather or access youth workers, with a maker space, youth-only gym, life-skills programs, table tennis, pool and a basketball half court."
As stated by Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie:
"Blackwood Youth Action recognise that the mental well-being of the young people in our region is essential to their future.
"Their motto, when working with marginalised and at-risk youth, is 'be the best you can be', and the support that will be provided from this facility will be an important part of that.
"The sustainability and integrity of our communities are dependent on working collaboratively to identify and assist especially those at risk."
