Youth Sector Development Project Kempsey Consultation – September 2008 Prepared by Julie Gill – Manager Mid North Coast Regional Council for Social Development.

Youth Sector Youth Sector Development Development

ProjectProject

Kempsey Consultation – September Kempsey Consultation – September 20082008

Prepared by Julie Gill – Manager Mid North Coast Regional Council for Social Prepared by Julie Gill – Manager Mid North Coast Regional Council for Social DevelopmentDevelopment

Youth Plan PrioritiesYouth Plan Priorities

► Education/EmploymentEducation/Employment Young people have opportunities for rewarding and Young people have opportunities for rewarding and

positive livespositive lives

► Health and safetyHealth and safetyYoung people feel and are safeYoung people feel and are safe

► Participation in decision makingParticipation in decision makingThe community values young people’s participation The community values young people’s participation and opinionsand opinions

PlanningPlanning► Key partnersKey partners

DoCS, MNCRCSD, Kempsey Shire CouncilDoCS, MNCRCSD, Kempsey Shire Council

► Other partnersOther partnersLocal schools, Wesley Employment, Police Youth Liaison Officer, Kempsey Local schools, Wesley Employment, Police Youth Liaison Officer, Kempsey Family and Community Centre, Family and Community Centre, Centacare, South West Rocks Community Centacare, South West Rocks Community Services and Kempsey Family Support ServicesServices and Kempsey Family Support Services

► Youth involvement Youth involvement LeadershipLeadershipKempsey YAC. 2 youth leaders per group to lead session, welcome to country, Kempsey YAC. 2 youth leaders per group to lead session, welcome to country, websitewebsite

► EntertainmentEntertainmentSmoking Joe RobinsonSmoking Joe Robinson

► FoodFoodTake away pizzaTake away pizza

Planning cont.Planning cont.► Questions - EducationQuestions - Education

What would the perfect school look What would the perfect school look like?like?

Why do you think young people Why do you think young people leave the area after they finish leave the area after they finish school?school?

What could be done to make our What could be done to make our communities more youth friendly?communities more youth friendly?

► Questions – SafetyQuestions – Safety

What sort of things make you feel What sort of things make you feel safe?safe?

What sort of things make you feel What sort of things make you feel unsafe?unsafe?

What happens at parties?What happens at parties?

Are there any services in your Are there any services in your local area where you could turn to if local area where you could turn to if you needed help?you needed help?

What about after hours?What about after hours?

Are there any safe places where Are there any safe places where young people can hang out in your young people can hang out in your area?area?

What makes it a safe place?What makes it a safe place?

Planning contPlanning cont

► Questions – HealthQuestions – Health

What do you think the main health What do you think the main health issues are for young people?issues are for young people?

What could be done to make young What could be done to make young people healthierpeople healthier??

► Questions – Participation Questions – Participation and decision makingand decision making

Government and services are Government and services are interested in knowing what young interested in knowing what young people want. How do you think people want. How do you think young people could give them that young people could give them that information?information?

Do you think the community values Do you think the community values young people?young people?

What could be done to improve What could be done to improve that?that?

Day’s scheduleDay’s schedule

►Welcome to CountryWelcome to Country

► Youth SurveyYouth Survey

► Youth ConsultationsYouth Consultations

► EntertainmentEntertainment

► FoodFood

Results - EducationResults - EducationWhat would the perfect school look like?What would the perfect school look like?

► Newer facilities and nicer aestheticsNewer facilities and nicer aesthetics► More technologically focused (ei video conferencing, distance education options)More technologically focused (ei video conferencing, distance education options)► Better music equipmentBetter music equipment► More sporting equipment – Gym, pool, water sports, sporting academy, options for girlsMore sporting equipment – Gym, pool, water sports, sporting academy, options for girls► More green spacesMore green spaces► More extra curricular activities such as discos and sport More extra curricular activities such as discos and sport ► More subject choice and non expensive, quality subject choiceMore subject choice and non expensive, quality subject choice► Workshop optionsWorkshop options► More fun, creative options, enjoyable courses, relaxed teachersMore fun, creative options, enjoyable courses, relaxed teachers► Free tutoring and teacher support for distance educationFree tutoring and teacher support for distance education► Better communication between schools – more interaction, Better communication between schools – more interaction,

gala days, interschool activitiesgala days, interschool activities► More parent involvement (P&C)More parent involvement (P&C)

Results Education cont.Results Education cont.► More Student Representative Council fundraisersMore Student Representative Council fundraisers► Gifted and talented programsGifted and talented programs► More options for work experienceMore options for work experience► Homework Centres that everyone can access and specialised Homework Centres that everyone can access and specialised

teaching supportteaching support► Creative optionsCreative options► Better toilets, lockers, and vending machinesBetter toilets, lockers, and vending machines► More accessible library (flexible hours)More accessible library (flexible hours)► Shorter days, lunchtime activities, and excursion optionsShorter days, lunchtime activities, and excursion options► Better support (ei mentors through HSC)Better support (ei mentors through HSC)► Better student to teacher ratioBetter student to teacher ratio► High school and tertiary education located closer togetherHigh school and tertiary education located closer together► Combine schools for subjects that don’t have enough numbers so Combine schools for subjects that don’t have enough numbers so

more community sense between schools.more community sense between schools.► Breakfast programs Breakfast programs ► Rewards for attendance/good work – holidays, trips, excursionsRewards for attendance/good work – holidays, trips, excursions► More encouragement More encouragement ► Get students to feedback on what they think about how they are Get students to feedback on what they think about how they are

taughttaught

Results Education cont.Results Education cont.► People go to school for sport and friendsPeople go to school for sport and friends► Kempsey is disadvantaged when compared with the subject choice Kempsey is disadvantaged when compared with the subject choice

offered in cities like Sydney offered in cities like Sydney ► Clear, supported exit points along the continuum and links to Clear, supported exit points along the continuum and links to

employment and other education pathways would reduce stress employment and other education pathways would reduce stress encourage people to finish school.encourage people to finish school.

► Study space and time – computers in study room.Study space and time – computers in study room.► OOSH (Out of School Hours) Care – should be available at school. This OOSH (Out of School Hours) Care – should be available at school. This

would be good for kids who don’t have a good environment at home.would be good for kids who don’t have a good environment at home.

Results Education cont.Results Education cont.Why do you think young people leave the area after they finish school?Why do you think young people leave the area after they finish school?

► No local opportunitiesNo local opportunities► No local jobs, more jobs elsewhereNo local jobs, more jobs elsewhere► The conception that ‘Kempsey is a hole’ makes people want to go The conception that ‘Kempsey is a hole’ makes people want to go

and see new areasand see new areas► Not enough tertiary/further education here TAFE and UNINot enough tertiary/further education here TAFE and UNI► Nothing to doNothing to do► No transportNo transport► Not enough recreation activitiesNot enough recreation activities► Not enough places to “hang out”Not enough places to “hang out”

Results Education cont.Results Education cont.What could be done to help young people who have already left school?What could be done to help young people who have already left school?

► More TAFE courses – flexible, More TAFE courses – flexible, ► More incentives and programs are needed to encourage young More incentives and programs are needed to encourage young

people to get jobs.people to get jobs.► Better recognition of the particular skills that young people have, Better recognition of the particular skills that young people have,

and more opportunity to develop and apply them and more opportunity to develop and apply them ► More apprenticeshipsMore apprenticeships► A UniversityA University► Awareness about programs availableAwareness about programs available► Better connection between employment programs and schoolsBetter connection between employment programs and schools► More opportunity in school to build resumeMore opportunity in school to build resume► Better transportBetter transport► Jobs skills/life skills compulsory in all years (commerce and money Jobs skills/life skills compulsory in all years (commerce and money

lessons)lessons)► Internet cafes Internet cafes ► Services to build life skills (driving lessons, driver safety programs) Services to build life skills (driving lessons, driver safety programs) ► Local library - better technology and computers etc.Local library - better technology and computers etc.

Results Education cont.Results Education cont.► Free school base tutoring Free school base tutoring ► School more open – available for all youth, not just ones still in School more open – available for all youth, not just ones still in

school.school.► More information about programs and opportunities through school More information about programs and opportunities through school

newsletter, paper, Star FM, Internet – email list for all youth (Sign newsletter, paper, Star FM, Internet – email list for all youth (Sign up, efficient email system)up, efficient email system)

► For people who have already left school to have more motivators, For people who have already left school to have more motivators, inspiration talks. For example bring in Dhunghutti Elders to teach inspiration talks. For example bring in Dhunghutti Elders to teach Aboriginal StudiesAboriginal Studies

► Life skills/Lifestyle class run either compulsory or kept open for Life skills/Lifestyle class run either compulsory or kept open for people who are not in school. Eg: Cooking, cleaning, financial aspects people who are not in school. Eg: Cooking, cleaning, financial aspects i.e. Loans, managing accounts and billsi.e. Loans, managing accounts and bills

► More access to op-shops furniture (to give young people a place to More access to op-shops furniture (to give young people a place to get started).get started).

► Youth mentors (one on one supportYouth mentors (one on one support► Youth servicesYouth services► Parent support groupParent support group► Sporting and other activities – PCYCSporting and other activities – PCYC► Variety of things to do (Boxing, surfing, youth eventsVariety of things to do (Boxing, surfing, youth events► Career advice/counsellorsCareer advice/counsellors

Results Education cont.Results Education cont.

►What could be done to make our What could be done to make our communities more youth friendly?communities more youth friendly?

Results - SafetyResults - Safety► What sort of things make you feel unsafe?What sort of things make you feel unsafe?

► Police Police ► Not being there when you need themNot being there when you need them► Lack of communicationLack of communication► Discrimination against youthDiscrimination against youth► They moralise so we don’t bother reporting to themThey moralise so we don’t bother reporting to them

► Fighting – violenceFighting – violence► Skate park – fights, being stood overSkate park – fights, being stood over► Can’t trust people in KempseyCan’t trust people in Kempsey► Nowhere safe places for youth to go to at nightNowhere safe places for youth to go to at night► RobberiesRobberies► Trucks along the highway through townTrucks along the highway through town

Results - Safety cont.Results - Safety cont.► Not enough lighting around the townNot enough lighting around the town► Discrimination and segregation between communities Discrimination and segregation between communities ► Drunks – People drinking in the streetDrunks – People drinking in the street► PaedophilesPaedophiles► People on drugsPeople on drugs► Not enough supportNot enough support► Family (for some) Family (for some) ► Youth vandalsYouth vandals► Bullying, particularly on buses – good bus drivers take controlBullying, particularly on buses – good bus drivers take control► Tough attitudesTough attitudes► Community fear of youth Community fear of youth ► PCYC is not safePCYC is not safe

► No transportNo transport

Results – Safety cont.Results – Safety cont.What happens at parties?What happens at parties?

► Drinking alcohol – Parents / older siblings buy alcohol. Problem for Drinking alcohol – Parents / older siblings buy alcohol. Problem for young teenagers – 12-15 years get smashed. Older teens grow out of young teenagers – 12-15 years get smashed. Older teens grow out of getting drunk and only drink socially.getting drunk and only drink socially.

► Have fights Have fights ► Take drugs – sharing drugsTake drugs – sharing drugs► Drink driveDrink drive► Fun, dance, socialiseFun, dance, socialise► Unwanted and unsafe sex (rape) – when under the influence of stuff we Unwanted and unsafe sex (rape) – when under the influence of stuff we

normally wouldn’t donormally wouldn’t do► Hurt, bashed, rapped, robbed - Need a place to have a safe party and Hurt, bashed, rapped, robbed - Need a place to have a safe party and

someone sensible to go to get helpsomeone sensible to go to get help► Theft / vandalism, gate crasher problems Theft / vandalism, gate crasher problems ► Risk taking (walking back home or lift with drunk person – no transport)Risk taking (walking back home or lift with drunk person – no transport)► Drink spikingDrink spiking► Peer pressurePeer pressure► Need safe places to hold parties, and parents to be involvedNeed safe places to hold parties, and parents to be involved► Police needs to crack down on headland at SRW. SWR kids taking Police needs to crack down on headland at SRW. SWR kids taking

‘pingers’‘pingers’

Results - Safety cont.Results - Safety cont.

Are there any services in your local area where you could turn if you Are there any services in your local area where you could turn if you needed help?needed help?

► Not policeNot police► Case worker Case worker ► Job Networks - Wesley Job Networks - Wesley ► Youth refuge – Not anymore, closing down next weekYouth refuge – Not anymore, closing down next week► CentrelinkCentrelink► Hospital, ambulance, fire fightersHospital, ambulance, fire fighters► Kids helpline – crime stoppersKids helpline – crime stoppers► Neighbourhood CentresNeighbourhood Centres► Counsellors (although school counselors breach confidentiality)Counsellors (although school counselors breach confidentiality)► Coaches / team leaders, teachers, Church ChaplainCoaches / team leaders, teachers, Church Chaplain

Results - Safety cont.Results - Safety cont.

What about after hour’s services?What about after hour’s services?

► FamilyFamily► Police - (Not the police at SWR or Crescent Head, it takes them too Police - (Not the police at SWR or Crescent Head, it takes them too

long to respond)long to respond)► Booze bus – night patrol HospitalBooze bus – night patrol Hospital► Kids HelplineKids Helpline► Youth refugeYouth refuge

Results - Safety cont.Results - Safety cont.

Are there any safe places where young people can hang out in Are there any safe places where young people can hang out in your area?your area?

► PCYC – of a day, not at nightPCYC – of a day, not at night► HomeHome► No, nothing at SWRNo, nothing at SWR► The park at FredericktonThe park at Frederickton

What makes it a safe place?What makes it a safe place?

► People you know and trust and can get help if neededPeople you know and trust and can get help if needed► Community tiesCommunity ties► Protection and securityProtection and security► ParentsParents

Results - HealthResults - Health

What do you think are the main Health issues for young people?What do you think are the main Health issues for young people?

► STD’sSTD’s► Drugs, alcohol, smoking, petrol sniffingDrugs, alcohol, smoking, petrol sniffing► Depression, self harm, suicide, ADHDDepression, self harm, suicide, ADHD► Body imageBody image► Obesity, dietObesity, diet► FightingFighting► Food cost and lack of income – hard to get cheap Food cost and lack of income – hard to get cheap

healthy foodhealthy food► Diabetes, cancer, dental healthDiabetes, cancer, dental health► PovertyPoverty► Sporting injuriesSporting injuries

Results - Health cont.Results - Health cont.What can be done to help young people become healthier?What can be done to help young people become healthier?

► Making healthy food more affordable, food vouchers for the poorMaking healthy food more affordable, food vouchers for the poor► Fresh food in schoolFresh food in school canteens, lunch provided at school, juice bars, canteens, lunch provided at school, juice bars,

promotion through guest speakerspromotion through guest speakers► Variety of choices of exercise at school. Make sport compuloryVariety of choices of exercise at school. Make sport compulory► PCYC open on weekends and more programs offered (fitness, PCYC open on weekends and more programs offered (fitness, ttouch ouch

football)football)► Better promotion of health foods to youth (ei young people are Better promotion of health foods to youth (ei young people are

always featured in junk food advertisements) always featured in junk food advertisements) ► More sporting activities (year round), activities at the surf clubMore sporting activities (year round), activities at the surf club► Interesting education on depression and healthy eating (Beyond Interesting education on depression and healthy eating (Beyond

Blue regularly at school)Blue regularly at school)► Approachable, drop in counselors who maintain confidentiality (male Approachable, drop in counselors who maintain confidentiality (male

and female)and female)► Drop in medical appointment systems, traveling doctors, better Drop in medical appointment systems, traveling doctors, better

transport to medical facilitiestransport to medical facilities► More funding for emergency departmentsMore funding for emergency departments

Results - Health cont.Results - Health cont.► More dry zones – alcoholMore dry zones – alcohol► Government funding – food vouchers for the poorGovernment funding – food vouchers for the poor► Focus on changing attitudes towards smoking and eating junk foodFocus on changing attitudes towards smoking and eating junk food► Provide other forms of entertainment to detract from drinkingProvide other forms of entertainment to detract from drinking► Introduce weight loss programs in schools (gym)Introduce weight loss programs in schools (gym)► Tax bad foods – use money for healthy lifestyle programsTax bad foods – use money for healthy lifestyle programs► Promote education to families and schoolsPromote education to families and schools► Doctors and nutritionists to schools (like dentists)Doctors and nutritionists to schools (like dentists)► Youth school nurses – encourage youth to work, easier to relate toYouth school nurses – encourage youth to work, easier to relate to► Encourage and create incentives to become healthier eg competitionEncourage and create incentives to become healthier eg competition► School to employ a nutritionistSchool to employ a nutritionist► Reduce homework to make more time for sport and reduce stressReduce homework to make more time for sport and reduce stress► Young people to become aware of what they are eatingYoung people to become aware of what they are eating► Talks about people who have overcome health issues and how they Talks about people who have overcome health issues and how they

overcome itovercome it► Start healthy diets from home – encouragement and incentives for Start healthy diets from home – encouragement and incentives for

parentsparents► Gym should be funded by the governmentGym should be funded by the government

Results - Participation in Results - Participation in decision makingdecision making

Government and services are interested in knowing what young people Government and services are interested in knowing what young people want. How do you think young people could give them that want. How do you think young people could give them that information?information?

► Ask us, give us a chance to have a say, Consult youth on relevant Ask us, give us a chance to have a say, Consult youth on relevant decisionsdecisions

► Letters, surveys, petitions, posters, notice boardsLetters, surveys, petitions, posters, notice boards► My Space, U Tube, email , – every one uses itMy Space, U Tube, email , – every one uses it► Youth forums – like today, more needed. Youth get to have a sayYouth forums – like today, more needed. Youth get to have a say► Newsletters, community newslettersNewsletters, community newsletters► Feedback website, blogsFeedback website, blogs► Through SchoolThrough School► Sending reps to talk to youth (politicians)Sending reps to talk to youth (politicians)► Ring them upRing them up► Discussion groupsDiscussion groups► Suggestion boxSuggestion box► At PCYC, going to where the young people hang outAt PCYC, going to where the young people hang out

Results - Participation in Results - Participation in decision making. contdecision making. cont

Do you think the community values young people?Do you think the community values young people?

► No – Youth get blamed for everything ; they try to get rid of usNo – Youth get blamed for everything ; they try to get rid of us► They expect us to act like adultsThey expect us to act like adults► Make us do everything because we are youngMake us do everything because we are young► Try to bring us up the way they were brought upTry to bring us up the way they were brought up► Shop keepers are arrogant, they always think we are up to Shop keepers are arrogant, they always think we are up to

somethingsomething► RacismRacism► People get judged on face value – usually negative, usually People get judged on face value – usually negative, usually

spoken to, not askedspoken to, not asked► Police pick on P platers – no trust – asking for more IDPolice pick on P platers – no trust – asking for more ID► Generalise us allGeneralise us all► Nothing for youth other than skate parkNothing for youth other than skate park► Don’t listen to youth adviceDon’t listen to youth advice► Parents think they know what we wantParents think they know what we want► Conflicting interests with parentsConflicting interests with parents

Results - Participation in Results - Participation in decision making. contdecision making. cont

How does the community value young people?How does the community value young people?

► Some organised sportSome organised sport

► Achievers are supportedAchievers are supported

► Incentives/bribery – you do this and you get that (this is good Incentives/bribery – you do this and you get that (this is good and bad)and bad)

Results - Participation in Results - Participation in decision making. contdecision making. cont

What could be done to improve that?What could be done to improve that?

► PCYC is out of the way, no one knows where it is or want to go PCYC is out of the way, no one knows where it is or want to go because of the locationbecause of the location

► Community to come together, discussions – education, what are we Community to come together, discussions – education, what are we doing now?doing now?

► Give youth a chance to make their own decisionsGive youth a chance to make their own decisions► Positive media outputPositive media output► Education about racismEducation about racism► Provide course activities for youth to show positive youth imageProvide course activities for youth to show positive youth image► Learn about history of KMCLearn about history of KMC► More funding for youth activitiesMore funding for youth activities► Places for youth to hang outPlaces for youth to hang out► Promoting positive things that could come out of KMC i.e. heritage, Promoting positive things that could come out of KMC i.e. heritage,

beachesbeaches► Low cost transport for youth, especially weekendsLow cost transport for youth, especially weekends

Results - Participation in Results - Participation in decision making. contdecision making. cont

► RSL needs to have disco’s againRSL needs to have disco’s again► Stop talking about negatives, think more about positives, focus on Stop talking about negatives, think more about positives, focus on

achievementsachievements► Provide workshops, youth programs, skate comps, events aimed at Provide workshops, youth programs, skate comps, events aimed at

youthyouth► Respect young peopleRespect young people► Better communication between youth and adults in terms of parents, Better communication between youth and adults in terms of parents,

police etcpolice etc► Better show, more events, life skills, art galleries aimed at youthBetter show, more events, life skills, art galleries aimed at youth► More youth forumsMore youth forums► Sell some pubs, put money into youth insteadSell some pubs, put money into youth instead► Build something for youth, and get youth involvedBuild something for youth, and get youth involved► UNI should be free and schools should be upgradedUNI should be free and schools should be upgraded► Game centre combined with neighbourhood centreGame centre combined with neighbourhood centre

Young people’s feedback Young people’s feedback about the forumabout the forum

► ““Wesley asked me if I wanted to come along; I said yeah, then I Wesley asked me if I wanted to come along; I said yeah, then I thought no I won’t go, all they do at these things is talk at you. I went thought no I won’t go, all they do at these things is talk at you. I went anyway, and look, you couldn’t shut me up! I felt like we really had a anyway, and look, you couldn’t shut me up! I felt like we really had a say”say”

► ““It was great to have the day run by peers”It was great to have the day run by peers”► I didn’t like too many probing questions that repeated themselves”I didn’t like too many probing questions that repeated themselves”► ““The room was crowded and it was hard to hear”The room was crowded and it was hard to hear”► We loved have Jo come along and perform, and talk to us”We loved have Jo come along and perform, and talk to us”► It was useful”It was useful”► ““We had a say”We had a say”► ““Pizza and the day off school. That was mad”Pizza and the day off school. That was mad”► It was funIt was fun► ““Where do we go from here? How can we get involved in the next Where do we go from here? How can we get involved in the next

step and talk to the decision makers”step and talk to the decision makers”► ““This is great, but our parents and the wider community need to hear This is great, but our parents and the wider community need to hear

what we have to say, not just services and decision makers”what we have to say, not just services and decision makers”