Youth
The City of Canada Bay offers a range of projects, programs and other youth-related initiatives for young people aged 12-18 years old who are living, working or studying locally.
These programs provide opportunities for youth in the City of Canada Bay to gain valuable skills, contribute to their community, meet and work with other youth locally, and of course, have fun!
Council works collaboratively with other councils and youth services to ensure maximum participation, and to ensure provision of services are of a high quality and meet the needs of youth in the City of Canada Bay.
Ongoing youth services and programs include:
- During the month of October the eSafety Commissioner will be hosting webinars on digital technologies and mental health. This webinar will provide parents and carers with strategies to help young people and their mental health when they are online. It is designed for parents and carers of young people aged 10-18. For bookings and more details, click here.
- During the month of November the eSafety Commissioner will be hosting webinars on online gaming. This webinar will provide parents and carers with an understanding of the benefits and risks of online gaming. It is designed for parents and carers of young people aged 8-13. For bookings and more details, click here.
Feeling the effects of COVID and lockdown anxiety? Why not sign up for Headspace Ashfield's COVID Anxiety Skills Group for 12-25 year olds.
Six 45-minute sessions will be held in an online platform and supported by Headspace clinicians, from Monday, 27 September 2021. Topics covered include navigating study during lockdown, burnout in lockdown, anxiety, and adjusting to life after lockdown.
Sessions will run Monday or Wednesdays at 4:00pm for 6 weeks via Zoom. There will be the same content each week, you just have to choose a day that best suits. Read more here.
These sessions aim to increase awareness of the impact of COVID-19, and strengthen your understanding of mental health, as well as how to communicate with a younger person, build awareness of local services and support and strengthen relationships between local area mental health services, community organisations and local schools.
Please click here to see what's on offer.
For Year 7 and above
Want a place to chill out with your friends after school, master the Wii and watch YouTube clips while munching on yummy food? Then check out our Youth Space. Just call in! Youth Space is free and open for you to drop by anytime!
- Wednesdays 3:30–4:30pm at Five Dock Library
- Thursdays 3:30–4:30pm at Concord Library
Sessions run during school terms only.
These programs are run according to a set of Youth Outreach Program Guidelines to ensure a safe space for all youth to hang out. The names and addresses of the youth are not recorded and they are free to exit the program at any time.
For more information please contact our Youth Services Librarian on 9911 6390.
Visit the our What's On For Youth page for more activities.
eResources
Search for articles and information in thousands of magazines, journals, newspapers, encyclopaedias and reference books. These resources provide you with quality, reliable information to make your bibliography look great! Check out our easy to use Student eResources Guide.
School collection
The school collection has everything you need to prep for your exams, including study guides, revision and exam tips, and past papers. The collection caters for years 7-12 and up to four items in this collection can be borrowed at a time, for three weeks only, and no renewals.
HSC
The school collection holds study guides for all HSC topics. If you cannot find what you need, our library staff can help you find information and resources to get your assignments and study completed. For further HSC study help, please see our HSC Fact Sheet.
HSC Lectures and Study More
Each year, City of Canada Bay Libraries present a series of HSC Study More sessions and lectures by experienced speakers. Please check out What's On for Youth page for further details in the lead up to the HSC.
Youth Week began as a NSW Government initiative in 1989, and has since grown to be a celebration of young people in every state and territory across the country. It is organised by young people, for young people, in communities across NSW and Australia. Following the success of the NSW Youth Week program, Youth Week became a National event in 2000. National Youth Week is jointly supported by the Australian Government, State and Territory Governments and Local Governments. National Youth Week is an opportunity for young people to:
- Share ideas
- Attend live events
- Have their voices heard on issues of concern to them
- Showcase their talents
- Celebrate their contribution to the community
- Take part in competitions
- Have fun!
For more information about Youth Week events happening across the state check out youthweek.nsw.gov.au.
- Inner West Youth Service Map – check out where to go, where to hang out and who you can talk to.
- Five Dock Skate Park – this skate park is a unique dual purpose facility suitable for BMX, skateboards and scooters. It’s free and can be used by all ages and abilities.
- Youth Point Directory – a mobile youth services directory featuring agencies who provide services to young people in NSW. The website acts as a point of contact for young people looking for assistance with accommodation, health services, case management, legal supports or employment/education.
For more information please read our Youth Help and Services fact sheet.
- After Dark Program
- Drop-in centre
- Pathways education for Year 7-10 students
- sport and cultural activities
- music and video production skills
- Support and Guidance Counselling
Phone: 9552 2873
Email: info@glebeyouth.org.au
Marrickville Youth Resource Centre (MYRC)
MYRC offers a variety of services for young people aged 12 to 24 years including:
- Recreation afternoons
- School holiday programs
- Computer room
- Music studio
- Youthblock counseling
- GP services
- Short term projects.
You will also find youth workers who will support you and refer you to an appropriate specialist service when necessary.
Phone: 9564 3222
Balmain PCYC offers a range of fun and safe activities including boxing, yoga, dance, school holiday programs, martial arts, and much more.
Phone: 02 9810 2234
Email: balmain@pcycnsw.org.au
Services include mental health counseling, education and employment support, alcohol and other drugs services, community engagement activities, physical/sexual health services.
Phone: 9193 8000
Email: headspaceashfield@newhorizons.net.au
Provide support on a range of mental health issues and is available by phone, online via chat or email.
Phone: 1300 22 4636
Provides information on reproductive and sexual health services, everything from contraception and pregnancy testing to STIs.
Ashfield clinic: 8752 4300
Talkline: 1300 658 886
A free, private and confidential phone and online counseling services for young people aged 5 to 25 years old.
Phone: 1800 551 800
A crisis support service that provides short-term support at any time for people who are having difficulty coping or staying safe.
Phone: 13 11 14
Free online and telephone support and counselling for young people aged 12 to 25 years old, their families and friends.
Phone: 1800 650 890
Anyone considering suicide, living with someone who is considering suicide, or bereaved by suicide, can access the service.
Phone: 1300 659 467
A telephone and online counselling service for men, including support for dads who need parenting assistance.
Phone: 1300 78 99 78
Sexual assault and domestic violence hotline
Phone: 1800 737 732
Online forums
Beyond Blue
A supportive place to connect with people who are going through similar experiences to you. You can read other people’s stories, ask for advice or share your own experience.
A supportive, safe and anonymous space where people care about what's happening for you, because they've been there too.
Online programs and apps
BITE BACK is a free, self-guided online wellbeing and resilience program for people aged 13–16 years old.
The BRAVE Program is a free interactive, online program for the prevention and treatment of childhood and adolescent anxiety.
This free, fun, interactive program helps you identify and overcome problem emotions and shows you how to develop good coping skills for the future.
Alcohol and Other Drugs Information Service (ADIS)
ADIS is a free service that provides 24/ 7 telephone counselling, support, referrals and information for those affected by alcohol, other drugs or are concerned about their family and friends.
Phone: 1800 250 015
Click here to access their webchat.
A 24/7 hotline for poisons, overdose or medicine help.
Phone: 13 11 26
Family Drug Support (FDS)
Provides 24/7 telephone support to families and carers in crisis due to alcohol and other drug use issues. FDS also provide face-to-face support meetings and resources for family members.
Phone: 1300 368 186
Stimulant Treatment Line (STL)
A free service that provides 24/7 information, referral, crisis counselling and support for people who use stimulants.
Phone: 9361 8088
Good Shepherd
Provides support to young people who have experienced traumatic events such as domestic violence, displacement, loss and sexual assault. It also offers family counselling and group workshops.
Phone: 8571 7800
Email: reception@goodshep.org.au
Good Shepherd
Waranara School: alternate education for students in years 9-12 who require supported, flexible schooling due to mental health and significant life challenges.
ParentWise: parenting program for parents of adolescents aged 12-17.
Phone: 8571 7800
NSW Health has a variety of courses in child and adolescent parenting.
Phone: 8877 5376
Link 2 Home
24/7 referral to crisis accommodation.
Phone: 1800 152 152
Exodus Foundation, Ashfield
Free breakfast and lunch daily, showers, social, medical, welfare and crisis support.
Phone: 8752 4600
180 Liverpool Road, Ashfield
Wesley Mission Homelessness Service
Crisis accommodation for single men and women aged 18-80.
Phone: 1300 259 789
Youth of the Streets
Homelessness service supporting young people aged 16-25.
Phone: 8217 4700
Streetwork Inc.
Provides mentoring, outreach and support to young people at risk of violence, homelessness, criminal activity and substance abuse.
Phone: 9419 7559
Y Connect
For young people seeking advice about your current living situation and need some direction on where to go, who to contact for more help, what options you have, or just some basic advice.
Phone: 1800 424 830.
Is a peak body representing young people at risk and experiencing homelessness.
Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY)
ARACY aims improve the wellbeing of children and young people by collaboratively transforming evidence into policy and practice.
The City of Canada Bay is a child safe community that recognises and advocates for the rights of children and young people. Our policies and procedures aim to reduce the likelihood of harm to children, to increase the likelihood of identifying and reporting harm, and respond appropriately to disclosures, allegations or suspicions of harm.