Adulting Past 2020
This 'youth-led' initiative focuses on life skills needed by young people in a post-COVID-19 world.
Young people in Port Lincoln and the Lower Eyre Peninsula has indicated a need for assistance in planning their future. Based on the feedback and suggestions by youth in Port Lincoln, Cummins, and Tumby Bay, this project aims to put together an ‘Adulting Kit’ or planning pack to help during the challenging and ever-changing times that is our COVID world.
The 'adulting' kit will form a support package of information on regional specific employment opportunities, moving out of home, transitioning to "city" life, volunteering opportunities in the community and ways to stay mentally fit and be the best you can be especially during a transition phase in your life. This 'adulting' kit will be linked with West Coast Youth's "My Pathway Plan" program where young people who require support can book in sessions with a trained young person to develop their pathway for their future.
This project also involves the development of a youth festival, incorporating the three Southern Eyre Peninsula Council areas. The opportunity to plan, develop, coordinate and risk manage this event would provide these young people real-life skills. This project would have the additional benefit of creating an event for young people by young people where opportunities in the region and ideas can be showcased.
Project achievements
The Adulting Post 2020 project involved over 180 young people (12-24) in Port Lincoln and the surrounding council areas.
The project resulted in the development of an ‘Adulting Kit’, which grew (and grew) into a tool to empower young people who are transitioning out of home, or generally taking on more responsibility. The feedback from young people brought to light important topics, which resulted in a robust guide written and illustrated in a relaxed style that relates to young people. The ‘Adulting Kit’ was launched directly to young people, in particular Year 12 groups and is also available as a PDF. A young person involved in the steering committee explained the process of how the kit came together and how it could be of use. The number of young people involved in the project is significant, its development has provided leadership opportunities and ways to support one another, connect, share and empower.
Additionally, an incredible youth festival, driven by young people for young people was delivered and held on Lower Eyre Peninsula. Young people from surrounding areas travelled to the Cummins sporting grounds to take part in many activities, including a cool obstacle (colour run/obstacle fun), skate demonstrations, live bands, wellbeing activities and to just generally enjoy coming together as part of the “Get Out Festival”.
‘Getting Out’ was especially important as a result of the pandemic; connection for young people had never felt so important. Promotional material and merchandise featured the 'Blaze Sparrow', a quirky and creative logo that a local young person created. The festival provided event management and leadership development opportunities for young people as well as a place for connection and support.
Project outcomes
Outcome 1: Improve individual and/or community social and emotional wellbeing and resilience
The Adulting Post 2020 Kit focused on wellbeing and resilience. This is nurtured through physical health tips, mental health tips, SMART goal setting advice, as well as advice on house sharing and finances, which can impact emotional wellbeing. The young people involved in its development have gained a sense of empowerment which will support their own individual emotional wellbeing and resilience.
Additionally, the testing phase of the Adulting Kit saw this outcome met immediately and in the short term as it provided an avenue for young people to voice their concerns or queries and be able to feel that they were being a part of the solution.
It is anticipated that the Adulting Kit will provide long term social and emotional wellbeing and resilience outcomes as it is a resource that young people are able to keep referring to - either via their own copy or via programs provided by West Coast Youth and Community Support.
The Youth Get out Festival saw this outcome met immediately. The festival brought young people (and their families) from all over the Lower Eyre Peninsula together, at a time when socialisation was very much needed. The impact of isolation in 2020 and 2021 was further supported by conversations West Coast Youth Services had with their young people and further identified via their programming and service delivery.
Coming together with other young people to watch and listen to other young people in the way of activities and music, was a successful way to connect. The young people involved in organising the youth festival have developed important skills relative to leadership and event management and are very keen to be involved in the development of future events which will continue to support social and emotional wellbeing and resilience both individual and community levels.
Outcome 3: Reduce social isolation and increase the participation of priority groups in the local community
The youth festival acted to reduce social isolation in an immediate sense through providing a mechanism for young people to come together. The ripple effect will continue into the longer term due to friendships and connections being forged and strengthened. Feedback provided to West Coast Youth and Community Support by young people involved indicates vision and passion to make the festival bigger and better each year.
With the inclusion of skate coaches, transport from Port Lincoln and youth workers being present at the festival, priority groups such as at-risk youth and ATSI young people were able to attend and connect with others in a safe and empowering way.
The Get Out Festival has become a key event that young people want on their calendar. It is inspiring to see young people wanting to help put this event on, volunteer their time to organise or entertain and spend time with their peers.
Additionally, the Adulting Post 2020 Kit achieved immediate and short term outcomes relative to reducing social isolation and increasing participation of priority groups in the community via the testing phase being incorporated into the wider West Coast Youth Services programming and service delivery.
Youth and Case workers who work alongside identified priority groups were able to ensure these young people felt heard and their ideas incorporated.
As the kit will form part of West Coast Youth and Community Services ongoing programming and service delivery, long term outcomes relative to the reduction of social isolation and increased participation for priority groups will be achieved.
The key focus of West Coast Youth Services Community Connections Program is to assist in strengthening connections in the community for people aged 18-24, including priority groups identified in this application. West Coast Youth and Community Support's My Pathways Program also seeks to assist young people identify and make positive steps towards future goals, reduce social isolation and increase the participation of priority groups in the community.
Ongoing learnings and collaborations
The Adulting Kit will continue to be implemented in the My Pathways Program, Community Connections Program and other youth programs at West Coast Youth and Community Support. It will also continue to be promoted through West Coast Youth Services partnerships with employment agencies, the Port Lincoln Aboriginal Community Council and local schools.
West Coast Youth and Community Support has advised that the design and testing of the Adulting Kit were undertaken across the work and programming undertaken by multiple case managers and youth workers. In fact, this delivery model ensured the design of a robust and highly relevant and relatable resource for priority groups and young people in general.
The grant highlighted just how important a Youth Action Plan is for the community and to ensure essential connections between young people and the Council are established so that their voices can be heard, and ideas actioned.
The City of Port Lincoln will also continue to work alongside agencies such as West Coast Youth and Community Support who have established connections with young people. This will ensure multiple avenues for the empowerment of young people in the council area.
Adulting Past 2020 will form part of West Coast Youth Service's programming toolkit relative to Community Connections as well as My Pathway Planning programs. An ongoing evaluation and review process will organically be implemented via feedback provided by young people involved in these programs.
An ongoing evaluation and review process will organically be implemented via feedback provided by young people involved in these programs.
Additionally, relationships between the City of Port Lincoln's Community Wellbeing and Activation Officer and the District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula's Economic and Community Development Manager has strengthened. This partnership will see upcoming events in Port Lincoln such as the proposed Adelaide Lightning visit and Tennis SA All Stars event create further networking amongst the three Lower Eyre Councils and agencies such as West Coast Youth and Community Support to ensure priority groups are able to participate in these events.
This project has received funding from the Department of Human Services Youth-led COVID-19 Recovery Grants and administered by the Local Government Association of South Australia
