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Kempsey Youth Access Centre - Now Open!

Official Opening - Wednesday, 15 July 2009

The NSW Minister for Youth, Graham West, officially opened the Kempsey Youth Access Centre, on Wednesday, 15 July. The Minister commended the Youth Advisory Council and Kempsey Shire Council on successfully working together to establish the Centre. The facility is designed to provide a much needed "space" for youth in the Kempsey Shire that is comfortable and welcoming, and where they can access information and services relevant to them.

Background

One of the most significant issues raised by young people in Kempsey Shire at a Youth Forum held in 2008 was access to a youth dedicated area, where they could gain information on services in terms of health, education, employment, training, entertainment, school support, etc.

Kempsey Shire Council in recognising the value of its youth in the community identified a vacant Council building in River Street, which was previously used as the SES headquarters, in an appropriate location for young people. The Youth Advisory Centre is well located as it is walking distance from St Pauls College, Kempsey High School and the North Coast Institute of TAFE. There is a regular bus service along River Street and it is also walking distance for South Kempsey youth, via the rail bridge or public transport.

Through a partnership between Guri Wa Ngundagar Aboriginal Corporation (Community Development Employment Program), Kempsey Shire Council and the Youth Advisory Council, refurbishment of the building has been achieved and has now progressed to tenancy stage where services will be invited to utilise the centre. There are seven different areas including offices for services, communal area, educational space, library and kitchen. There is still much work to be done to the centre in order to realise its full potential and grant funding will be actively sought to ensure that the necessary upgrades are undertaken.

In 2009, Council was informed that it was successful in securing grant funding totalling $73,000 through Area Assistance Funding (Department of Community Services) 2009/10 allocation. This will be used to upgrade the kitchen area and the toilet amenities. A further $10,000 for information technology infrastructure was pledged from the State Government and announced at the Centre's official opening.

Tenancy Services to be Invited

Tenancy services will be invited to utilise the centre. Services will include:-

• Mental Health Services;
• Drug and Alcohol Services;
• Neighbourhood Centre Services;
• Advocacy Services;
• Financial Services;
• Educational Services; and
• Cross promotion of PCYC programs will also occcur.

A Young Person's Perspective

The following is a comment from one member of the Youth Advisory Council regarding the new centre:-

"There is much potential for the centre and it could serve many purposes for young people. I have always felt that young people need a safe place to receive advice about health, careers and what's available to them in Kempsey without being judged for it, and after the youth forum I realised there was consensus to this feeling.

This facility or centre is needed and I believe it will get a lot of support from young people and older people who want the younger generation to get the right information in a safe, friendly and youth oriented environment."