A NEW two-part initiative aims to get young people in Armadale more involved in the planning, design and implementation of youth projects in the area.
City of Armadale has set aside a $10,000 grant from the Department of Communities for the project, which will be broken down into a 12-month youth development program dubbed ‘The Kinetic’, followed by a full review of youth places and spaces within the wider Armadale area.
The youth development program will ask as many as 40 young people aged 12-18 to identify issues affecting themselves, their friends, family or school communities and try to find solutions to address those issues through a series of workshops.
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READ NOWCity officers will then work closely with the University of Notre Dame to form recommendations for youth friendly places, spaces and programs.
Armadale chief executive Ray Tame said by the end of the project they would have completed a comprehensive review of youth friendly spaces based on the opinions of the youth themselves.
“Young people make up a large portion of our community and it is vital that we deliver high quality youth places and spaces contributing to enhancing community connectivity,” he said.
“Young people need to feel safe and included in the community and have access to spaces they feel they belong, spaces that enhance community connection, access to recreation, positive well-being and education.
“It is crucial to understand what young people feel they need, like or would use in order to plan for such facilities and spaces in the future.”
Mr Tame said it was important to provide platforms to encourage leadership by young people, as they were the future of the community.
“The City feels The Kinetic project is a fantastic avenue to provide young people that platform to share their ideas and have their voices heard in addition to empowering them to help address these issues locally,” he said.
“Essentially this ($10,000) funding will enhance youth advocacy, help develop young leaders and create stronger communities.”
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