Project summary

This project has assisted with increasing awareness through promoting volunteering among young South Australians as a pathway to job-ready skills, employment, and lifelong learning, wellbeing and development. It has supported a number of regional communities in the Barossa and Mid North better understand the value they can provide to youth through their volunteer programs. It has also enabled some youth in the region to be better equipped in handling issues amongst their peers with regards to wellbeing and issues around suicide.

More on the project here

Project achievements

The Legatus Group released the Building a Culture for Encouraging Regional Youth into Volunteering following the research project undertaken by the University of Adelaide which led to the development of the trial projects.

Following the approval to extend this project it progressed through the support of the Legatus Group Community Collaborator and Creative Facilitator.

Youth involvement with Community / Emergency Services

• Following discussions with regional youth advisory groups and working in partnership with 3 Councils Youth / Community Development Officers an initial series of 4 videos were produced which focused on youth Volunteering in the Clare and Gilbert Valleys, Wakefield and Goyder Council Regions. These were released by the Legatus Group and member councils on social media and websites.

Youth involvement Wellbeing / Suicide Prevention

• Connections were then made due to the engagement with youth advisory groups with Lifeline Broken Hill to deliver the REACH training program which is a two-hour suicide awareness training aimed at increasing suicide awareness for anyone aged 15 years or older, irrespective of experience or training. Due to complications including those associated with COVID-19 the training was delayed but eventually delivered.

Youth involvement Creative Industries

• During the first half of 2021, a series of youth music workshops were held which led to the development of a project to record 2 young singer-songwriters - working with professional musicians, video and sound producers. This resulted in the release of a music video which was launched by the 2 young women with the Minister for Innovation and Skills at the SA Creative Industries Conference. This conference also saw the promotion and involvement of the regional indigenous youth dance company Dusty Feet.

Youth involvement Environment

• The 2nd half of 2021 focused on youth involvement with the environment and included 3 Sustainability Projects via Clare Lions Group, Riverton Lions Group and Barossa Fathers Farm with a focus on the value of volunteering and alignment with youth-based projects and recycling/waste. Videos have been developed to encourage members of the community of all ages to get involved – in any capacity they can and will showcase sustainability activities in schools and the wider community.

Project outputs and outcomes

The project required a level of flexibility following the increased involvement of youth in the planning and delivery of the programs.

The outcomes focused on the above 4 key topics which were of interest to the youth and allowed increased engagement with Councils, Community / Service Volunteer Groups, Businesses and Environmental Groups.

Visitor Information services were not achieved and the COVID-19 shutdowns impacted this whilst Wellbeing / Suicide Prevention became a higher priority. The Legatus Group through their CEO has now been invited to be part of workshops and forums at a state level to assist with ensuring both a regional and youth voice from a local government perspective can be further heard in progressing strategic plans.

There is not a Regional Wellbeing Central Coordination Model being progressed through the development of a partnership with LifeLine and 2 of the community waste organisations are working in collaborating across the Clare and Barossa Valleys. The 2 young singer-songwriters are now actively performing across the region.

Project distribution

Through Legatus Group reports, videos on YouTube - Legatus Group Website - Facebook and councils and community groups were encouraged to distribute the information through social media channels.

Evaluation

The project was evaluated based on feedback from the participants, councils and board members. Whilst engaging closely with the Volunteer Peak Bodies.

Continued support for the need to be actively involved in supporting youth into volunteering.