The Bridgetown Youth Action group is moving forward thanks to the dedication of many young volunteers under the guidance of a new youth coordinator.
BYA chairperson Dr Sarah Youngson said she was excited that it was growing at pace, and had been able to see the benefits to youth within the community.
"The goal of the YEOp shop has always been to find a way to fund our own youth space and youth worker as well as to provide young people with the opportunity for work experience," Sarah said.
Youth coordinator Corinna Bell was appointed in July, funded with money raised from the Bridgetown YEOp shop – with talk of premises for a youth drop-in centre becoming available in the near future.
Corinna has been keeping busy since taking up her position; holding workshops, running activities and working with the Youth Advisory Group to find out exactly what the young people in the community want.
She has experience and qualifications as a family support worker, outreach worker and child support advocate – and comes into the position with bundles of passion, enthusiasm and innovative ideas to help create the newly established role.
“We are very excited to have Corinna on board and are looking forward to seeing all the great things that will happen as she engages with the young people in our community, to find out what they want and to continue to build youth and community partnerships,” Sarah said.
“Of course this couldn’t happen without the community support we have received so far and we are so grateful to everyone who has and continues to contribute.”
The YEOp shop continues to go from strength to strength with Sally Paterson and her team of volunteers putting in the hours each week to manage the business, which provides opportunities for youth in the community to gain valuable work experience and references by volunteering in the shop.
Sarah said the business provided opportunities for people with disabilities to gain work experience.
“The YEOp enterprise is so much more than just a shop, it has allowed a number of young people and people with disabilities to make money by selling their handmade items as well as learn about running a business and how to work with customers, ” she said.
The BYA group started informally three years ago, consisting of a number of professionals working in education, health and community services along with passionate parents and community members.
For any suggestions or comments regarding issues affecting young people in the community, email: bridgetownyouth@gmail.com