Creating positive social environments

YOUTHGroups in Context, Category B

addressing the groups’ issues of concern

● government policy & legislation● organisations within the community that

support the group● equity issues

YouthCreating a positive social environment is essential for youth as it helps enable

them to meet their needs. A youth's ability to create as positive social

environment is determined by their:

● Physical needs and status

● Understanding of legal rights and responsibilities

● Environmental and technological resources

● Education and vocation

Addressing youths’ concerns is essential as some older members of the

community feel as if youths concern are 'blown out of proportion'. Youth today

are taking it upon themselves to advocate their own wellbeing needs and rights.

Helping improve their wellbeing today and for their future.

● Social environment-home, workplace, places youth interact within the community

● educational opportunities also impact social wellbeing

● Youth voice is growing to address area of inequity

Government policy & legislation Youth

ANTI DISCRIMINATION ACT:

- Against law to treat individuals unfairly because of age in different areas of public life, i.e. work,

education and buying goods and services.

- Negative stereotypes often lie at heart of age discrimination.

Important part of Commission’s work is to help foster positive community attitudes towards both young and

older Australians (equity)

EDUCATIONAL AMENDMENT BILL 2009:

- Makes school attendance legal and compulsory. Educated

people are more likely to to get further training boosting the

economy, improve sense of identity & hence wellbeing (equity).

Government policy & legislation Youth

MARRIAGE ACT 1961:

- Makes marriage under age of 18 illegal, unless permission of judge and parents obtained, youth can

then marry at 16. To be married at a reasonable age to protect the right of education & employment

opportunities for youth (equity).

PAYMENTS

- e.g. Youth Allowance help aid socioeconomic and educational inequity.

State Government Funding

- Concession cards, to allow cheaper travel for youth, usually students.

- Improves community participation, access to services over distance when youth income be limited. Job

seekers to travel and look for work or education. Promoting equity through access to travel and hence

services or employment.

Organisations within the community -Youth

- Most youth support groups located in largely populated areas

- Increase in online support groups, easy to remember numbers & available

24/7 over last couple of years for those in rural areas e.g. Kids Helpline.

- Youth wellbeing concerns eg injury, mental health, employment,

relationships, family, suicide & the services needed are often lacking in

remote areas. This indicates the need to address inequities.

- Centrelink assists youth eg support payments ie Abstudy, Youth Allowance

- Payments available for isolated youth who can’t be enrolled at local

schools due to geographical isolation, disability or special needs.

- Services other than those offered by government based in local

community.

Organisations within the community -Youth

● Groups within the community are often run by volunteers or supported by government assistance.

● Groups who meet the needs of Youth include: PCYC, Kids Help Line; The Make a Noise Project; Job Placement Education and Training (JPET); Youth centres; sporting and other activity groups; Schools; Beyond Blue; Salvation Army; Mission Australia; St Vincent de Paul and many more.

Youth of the Streets example

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0fKIF6IjOY

Community organisation

Current inequity -Youth

Socioeconomic inequity strategies:● Govt increase youth allowance● Increase parent income threshold, more

youth can access support● Travel concessions eg increase concessions

on low income for long distance travel to employment opportunities or relaocation allowances

Current inequity -Youth

Health inequity strategies:● increase access to school psychologists to

decrease mental health issues● fund services such as counsellors, GP into

community groups eg Youth off the streets● lower the age to obtain an independent

Medicare card

Positive influences on community attitudes

● contributions the group makes within the community

Youth contribute to the community

- Provide help around the home e.g. babysitting

- Carers for chronically ill or disabled parents

- Part-time or Casual Workers

- Act as role models and volunteers eg youth group leaders, soup kitchen,

St Vincent de Paul, blood donors

- Assist in fundraising eg Red Cross, Relay for Life

- Technologically advanced - embrace and lead new ideas in internet and

mobile phones

- Involved in community organisations e.g. Rural Fire Service,

Surf Life Saving

Surf Life Saving

Impact on wellbeing:-sense of identity, education, health physical/social/mental-community service & belonging to the community-protection & education of the community-ability to seek further education eg awards

● advocacy (speaking up for the group’s needs and concerns)

-raising awareness within the community-educating the community-promoting the rights of the group

Advocacy example -youth

Advocate -positive influence attitudes:● Australian paralympians● raises awareness of capabilities● spirit of youth, inspirational● youth train hard, work hard● youth achievements get recognised

Surf Life Saving

Advocate -positive influence attitudes:-sense of identity, education, health --see youth doing a community service as part of the local community-improve sense of health & safety eg attend beach where there are patrols-see SLS as a healthy option for their children

Example eg schools, festivals

Educating community about the aspects and achievements

of youth in the community can be found in the St John Paul

College Newsletter, in which the success of students is

recognised, congratulated and presented to the community.

Youth Week, Headspace Music Festival

for young people in the Coffs Coast

Advocate