COVID-19 has presented new difficulties for youth workers globally – but what better team up for the challenge than the PY squad? Project Youth has temporarily morphed into a partly online, remote service and we think things are going very well indeed. 

Now more than ever, at a time of heightened anxiety, and with higher rates of youth unemployment, local young people need Project Youth’s support. And we aren’t going anywhere. 

Skype, Facetime, Messenger, Whatsapp, Zoom, you name it – we can do it. If young people need a chat, our youth workers are only a call away. Our much-loved drop-in sessions are now online and open to all – we offer games night on Tuesdays, personal training on a Wednesday and ‘catch ups’ on Thursdays. Our Instagram and Facebook pages are rife with fun challenges, competitions and indoor activities such as a ‘keepy-uppy with a toilet roll’ competition that brought a laugh to young people and PY staff alike. Our social media platforms also provide self-care advice, reassurance, as well as information about COVID-19 regulations.

Our Labour Y team is working harder than ever to support young people in accessing free online training courses, Centrelink payments, and are side by side with young people in their job hunts during these testing times. We aim to have Café Y back up and running as soon as possible, serving delicious food and coffee whilst helping young people to learn and achieve.

It is suffice to say not all heroes wear capes - Project Youth’s housing team, key workers, have stepped up during the pandemic to ensure vulnerable young people are safe, and well. Now more than ever, youth homelessness is a prevalent problem. Imagine self-isolating in a dangerous household, or couch surfing with no consistent, safe place to call home.

These are very challenging times for young people at risk of homelessness, so we ran an online campaign to raise awareness and fundraise, captioned #YOUMATTER. Our crisis refuges remain open, fully staffed, and at full capacity, we are still supporting young people in semi-independent living, and we are still providing food, essentials and WIFI to those facing unemployment, hunger and isolation. 

Improvise, adapt, overcome. Project Youth are proud to be a consistent support for young people facing disadvantage. Our essential services will remain available, come what may.