The house is homely and welcoming, and is the first step on the path to recovery. But its kitchen is far too small.

Staff at the Youth Support and Advocacy Service hope a new approach to the annual Febfast event will help to purchase new items for their kitchen, where they plan to hold weekly meals with Bendigo’s young people in need.

The staff are going without some of their favourite vices for the month of February, and now others in Bendigo can join them with all money going to support their cause.

Home-based withdrawal nurse Stephen Turner said it was the first year other groups and businesses taking part in Febfast could direct their fundraising straight to Bendigo YSAS.

“The new concept this year allows groups to nominate Bendigo, and all the money they raise supports our cause,” he said.

“We really would like improvements around the kitchen, it’s difficult to have many people here at a time and we’d like to have more meals together and barbecues.

“It’s hard to find anywhere as convenient as this, we’re close to the middle of Bendigo, to buses, to supermarkets. It’s nice and central for what we’re trying to do.”

Based in Garsed Street, YSAS Bendigo offers Youth Outreach and home-based withdrawal services.

They can also refer people aged 12 to 22 to residential rehabilitation services, withdrawal services at a youth-specific facility, and support to find housing.

In Bendigo, YSAS usually has between 30 and 40 clients at any one time. 

Their building has a few meeting rooms for families and individuals to discuss managing their drug or alcohol addiction. It’s a place to chill out, to chat with some friendly people and enjoy some music.

In Australia, more than 12 per cent of people aged 16 to 24 are affected by problematic substance use. Twenty per cent of those have a mood disorder, like depression or bipolar, and 30 per cent live with an anxiety disorder.

The figures are likely to be similar in Bendigo, and Mr Turner said young people seek support for a range of reasons.

“In the order of those who seek help, it’ll be for cannabis, amphetamine use and then alcohol,” he said.

“Some have a chronic need for help. In other instances, they may have relapsed after already getting support.

“People can be referred here, or they can be self-referred. Unless they’re on a justice order, there’s no compulsion to attend.

“Of course, we can’t have parents drag their children in.”

To get involved, visit www.febfast.org.au. For help accessing the YSAS service in Bendigo, contact 5444 2969.