Anglicare’s Junction Youth Health service team has announced the relaunch of their Social Groups, which provide connection, creativity and practical support for young people aged between 12 and 25 years of age. The groups, which are free and include a Thursday art session and Friday hangouts and job-seeking support, began operating in February last year to assist young people who were isolated as a result of COVID, but had to cease in August due to the further ACT COVID lockdowns.
“We’re so pleased to finally relaunch the groups for 2022. The purpose of these groups is to provide a fun and safe space to socialise, connect, and develop creativity and life skills,” says Anglicare youth worker, Taylor Jackson, who was instrumental in establishing the groups and was a recent winner of the ACT Youth Coalition Best Young Talent YOGIE Award.
Sarah Murdoch, Anglicare’s Manager of Youth and Family Services in the ACT says, “Young people have gone through a lot during COVID, especially those who were already vulnerable. Challenges with schooling, relationships, housing, mental and physical health, domestic violence, and difficulties accessing some supports during lockdowns means that social groups like these are an important way to help people to reconnect, heal and move forward with their lives.”
The art group encourages mindfulness and creative expression, and includes youth-led art projects such as collaborative murals, graffiti and street art, comics, watercolour, and custom tote bag painting.
The job-seeking group empowers and encourages young people seeking employment, with practical assistance in creating a resume, writing cover letters, and finding jobs that are a good fit.
Participant feedback shows that the initiatives are making a marked difference in their lives with some commenting that the groups gives them a sense of validity, acceptance and purpose. It also provides them with a creative outlet and a way to build independence. Over 100 young people have already participated in the programs.
The Art group runs on Thursdays 3-5pm, and the Job Seeking and Hang Out groups run on Fridays 3-5pm at 30 Scotts Crossing, Canberra.
The groups are part of the Junction Youth Health service, which provides free primary health care to young people, and supports them with their overall health and wellbeing.
For more information about the Junction Youth Health service or the afternoon social groups, call (02) 6232 2423..
Pictured below: Harry and Taylor from Anglicare’s Junction Social Groups.
