A CENTRAL Victorian youth support initiative has earned statewide praise for its work, which volunteers say has been critical during the COVID-19 crisis.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Loddon Campaspe Keep in Touch project has been named as the 2020 outstanding youth project at the Victorian Youth Council rural awards.
Project youth champion Lilli-Rose Gemmill said the project aimed to create a place where young people could reconnect with their mental wellbeing, which was just as important during the pandemic.
Other news:
As a youth champion the year 11 student's role was to speak at launches and help with the running of the van.
Since COVID-19 hit, the project's work has pivoted to online meetings and marketing, to find out what Loddon Campaspe young people needed during the pandemic.
Lilli-Rose said a lot of her work this year had been identifying gaps in the information being given to young people on social media.
For instance, she said, young people had a lot more going on than just COVID-19 and needed advice about things such as exams or positive coping skills.
Lilli-Rose said her role as a youth representative had been to give a youth voice at the otherwise adult project table.
She's seen the project grow from an idea to reality, over about two years.
Launched in 2019, the initiative was designed to help young people with a custom van and an app.
Both aimed to empower young people to achieve and maintain positive mental health and wellbeing.
Its feature point, the Keep in Touch van, was designed to travel through the region, with activities to begin conversations around mental health.
The COVID-19 crisis garaged the van, but the project's work continued online during 2020 engaging with the region's youth.
Youth champion Cheyenne Cadence said making sure youth voices were heard was an important part of the Keep in Touch project.
Ms Cadence said the project had helped young people understand how they could support themselves and their mental health during lockdown, through its social media presence.
She said much of the work involved connecting with young people to bridge the gap while they waited for formal mental health services.
More at: facebook.com/KeepinTouchVan
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
Elspeth Kernebone
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
