“When I first went to the Youth Centre, I was really anxious. Now I go every day and I love it. I’ve met some great people, and my favourite program is music. I’ve always enjoyed DJ-ing, and, since joining the Youth Centre, I’ve learnt new skills and performed at events in Albany and Denmark for Youth Week.”– Anonymous, 19 years old.
Albany Youth Support Association’s (AYSA) Youth Centre offers a safe haven for young people facing hardship, including domestic violence, homelessness, social disconnection or living with disability. When they walk through the Youth Centre’s big roller door at the colourful warehouse on Sanford Road, staff are ready to help them feel safe, comfortable and connected.
The Youth Centre offers more than a meal and a place to relax. Young people can play games, do laundry, write job applications or simply spend time with friends. Creative workshops run daily, including photography, clay art, cooking, dance and music – all funded by Healthway.
Youth Centre Coordinator Tosh Wigley sees firsthand how creative arts transform lives.
“Building relationships and rapport is key to everything we do. The activities funded by Healthway are central to our engagement. Sitting around the table doing art gives young people an outlet for what they’re carrying inside. It also creates opportunities for us to have difficult conversations or share messages about healthy choices without it feeling intrusive,” she said.
Alongside trained youth workers, partner agencies deliver education sessions on topics such as harm minimisation for alcohol, drugs and vaping. These conversations help young people feel comfortable discussing behaviours they might otherwise hide.
“It’s not necessarily because they want to do it themselves – it’s the peer pressure they may experience from family members or friends. Having a safe space here is critical, and we’ve had feedback they feel comfortable talking about these issues,” Ms Wigley said.
She describes the outcomes of the arts program and the wraparound support as remarkable.
“We’ve seen phenomenal results. One young person hadn’t left their room for three years due to heightened anxiety during COVID. Combined with grief and homeschooling, they were socially isolated. When they first came to the Youth Centre, they couldn’t make eye contact. Now they’re on the DJ decks every day and performing publicly,” Ms Wigley said.
“Another young person in the music program had never spoken a word. Their family didn’t think they could speak. Now they interact with others, sing and perform and have truly made this their own space.”
