Consultation for Inaugural Youth Strategy to Begin Soon

Published on Thursday, 20 June 2024 at 11:50:37 AM

Preliminary work is now underway to prepare for extensive community consultation to develop the Shire of Denmark’s inaugural Youth Strategy.

The Shire has engaged the Youth Affairs Council of WA (YACWA) to consult on the development of the engagement and strategy, due to be completed in 2025.

To kick off the engagement process, YACWA is now inviting 15 – 25 year olds to apply before 7 July to be youth peer researchers in a paid opportunity to impact the strategy.

Breaking from standard consultation methods, six applicants will be selected as peer researchers who will assist in the design of a youth survey and interview questions, as well as providing advice on how to promote the engagement to the local youth community.

The peer researchers will receive full training from YACWA, a payment of up to $600, and a certificate at the end that will be a valuable addition to their resumes.

Throughout the consultation period, expected to extend from July to October 2024, community members will have the opportunity to share their ideas and views through workshops, one-on-one interviews, a postcard campaign and a solutions-focused roundtable.

Denmark Shire President Kingsley Gibson said the development of the Shire’s first Youth Strategy is in line with community expectations for improvement in youth service provision locally.

“‘Services and Facilities for Youth’ is one of the key community priorities identified in our Strategic Community Plan,” Cr Gibson said.

“We take those priorities seriously, so the aim of building a Youth Strategy is to develop a deeper understanding of these needs and priorities, and to set out a road map for us to follow as we get to work delivering on this important community priority in the months and years ahead.”

Cr Gibson hopes to see plenty of applications to the peer researcher roles.

“I hope this fresh approach to youth engagement will encourage young changemakers in our community to participate.”

Applications for the peer researcher opportunities close on Sunday 7 July 2024.

To find out more, or to apply to become a peer researcher, visit www.yourdenmark.wa.gov.au/youth-voices.

For more information about the Youth Strategy, please contact Shire of Denmark Community Development Officer Rosie Arnephie on 9848 0300 or Rosemarie.arnephie@denmark.wa.gov.au.

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