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Youth
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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:
Information and support for parents and carers
- RISE NSW (Good Shepherd) works with children and young people (10-15 years old) and their families who may be facing challenges that are impacting on the child’s education, safety, health and wellbeing. RISE believe that parents and carers are the most valuable influence in a young person’s development and work alongside parents and carers to help them support their child’s growth and development. RISE support workers assist parents in developing a sense of empowerment so they can use tools and strategies to better support their child/young people.
Phone: 02 8571 7800 or email reception@goodshep.org.au
- The eSafety Commissioner hosts webinars on digital technologies and mental health. These webinars intend to provide parents and carers with strategies to help young people and their mental health when they are online. Parents and carers of young people aged 10-18 can use their website for bookings: click here.
Youth Space
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.
HSC support
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.
NSW Youth Week
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.
More information and services
- 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.
- Ask Izzy – a mobile youth services directory featuring agencies that 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.
Other youth centres and programs
- 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
Twenty10
Twenty10 incorporating Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service NSW works with LGBTIQA+ people and others of diverse genders and sexualities, their families and communities. They are a Sydney-based organisation, providing a broad range of specialised services for young people aged 12-25 including housing, mental health, counselling and social support.
Phone: 8594 9555
13YARN [Thirteen YARN] is the first national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. We offer a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter who can provide crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 13YARN empowers our community with the opportunity to yarn without judgement and provide a culturally safe space to speak about their needs, worries or concerns.
If you, or someone you know, are feeling worried or no good, we encourage you to connect with 13YARN on 13 92 76 (24 hours/7 days) and talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.
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
Youth health and wellbeing (mental health)
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
Free online and telephone support and counselling for young people aged 12 to 25 years old, their families and friends.
Phone: 1800 650 890
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.
Drugs and alcohol services
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.
DanceWize NSW exists to advance and support the health and dignity of festival goers in NSW and is a program of NSW Users and Aids Association (NUAA); the leader in peer-led harm reduction in NSW. In addition to festival services, they also offer community harm reduction support and education, including NSW drug alerts, and a digital peer support service, through social media accounts and website.
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
A 24/7 hotline for poisons, overdose or medicine help.
Phone: 13 11 26
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
Counselling and crisis support
Are you or someone near you in immediate danger? Call Emergency Services on 000 or go to a hospital emergency department.
Lifeline
24/7 crisis support telephone service. Lifeline provides 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Website: Lifeline
Phone: 13 11 14
NSW Mental Health Line
A mental health professional will answer your call about mental health concerns for you or someone you are concerned about, including children, teens, adults and older people.
Website: Mental Health Line
Phone: 1800 011 511
Suicide Call Back Service
National services that provide free 24/7 phone, video and online professional counselling to people who are affected by suicide.
Website: Suicide Call Back Service
Phone: 1300 659 467
Education and employment
NSW Health has a variety of courses in child and adolescent parenting.
Phone: 8877 5376
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
Youth housing and homelessness
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.
Youth advocacy
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.