Council to host Wingecarribee Youth Forum

5 November, 2015Posted in: Events
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Candidate Information Seminars

Issues affecting the Shire’s youth will take centre stage at this month’s Wingecarribee Youth Forum to be held on the 12 November at the Mittagong RSL Club.

Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Youth Liaison Officer Michelle Williams explained the concept of the forum.

“As adults it’s easy to get caught up in our everyday lives and dismiss childhood and teenage years as carefree,” she said. “But this isn’t necessarily the reality for many young adults and this forum is a chance for them to tell us about the issues affecting them.”

Key issues to be discussed at the forum include education and employment concerns, body image, mental health and personal safety.

“The idea of the day is to have open and frank conversations with our Shire’s youth and talk about the issues that they’re confronted with every day,” Ms Williams added.  “Based on their feedback we’ll then organise a list of achievable actions that we can put into place to help anyone through any issues they may have.”

The forum will also feature group workshops, talks by guest speakers and a free morning tea and lunch.

“Importantly, the forum’s agenda and discussion points have been chosen by our Shire’s youth and they’ll be given the chance to lead discussions,” Michelle added.

“It really is their opportunity to tell us what matters to them and how we can help improve services and support them.

“And at the end of the day we plan on having a bit of fun along the way.”

The Wingecarribee Youth Forum will be held on the 12 November from 9.30am to 2.30pm at the Mittagong RSL Club and is open to young residents aged 12 to 24 year olds.

Entry is free with lunch and morning tea provided free of charge.

Staff from local youth service providers will also be on hand at the forum.

The Wingecarribee Youth Forum is hosted by Wingecarribee Shire Council and is proudly supported by the Forum Working Group’s partners including Argyle Community Housing, Essential Employment and Training, Barnados Australia, UnitingCare Burnside, Sector Connect, Youth Solutions, St Vincent de Paul Society and the Mittagong RSL Club.

For more information, including enquiries from service providers, contact Council’s Youth Liaison Officer at Michelle.Williams@wsc.nsw.gov.au or phone 4868 0859.