THE search for information about youth services in the Upper Hunter has been simplified thanks to a collaborative effort between Muswellbrook Shire Council, Upper Hunter Community Services (UHCS) and BHP Billiton Mt Arthur Coal.
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The group has put together a comprehensive and easily accessible collection of data that focuses on health, education and training and employment services for young people aged between 12 and 24.
As part of the four-year Community Capacity Building Project, youth services were identified as a priority area for the partnership.
Providing the public with quality and accessible information about the services available to young people was seen as an area in particular need of support.
The material is available in a range of formats, including an information report entitled Youth Demographic and Support Service Snapshot 2014: Muswellbrook Local Government Area, a brochure and a webpage hosted by UHCS.
The brochure and webpage, developed in consultation with the Upper Hunter Youth Interagency Committee, cover the entire Upper Hunter area, while the information report, developed in consultation with local service providers, covers Muswellbrook Shire.
UHCS senior community development officer Cindy Milton said it was evident there was a need for such a resource in the area.
“We are increasingly being asked for this kind of information by various individuals and groups, so it’s great that our community can now be directed to one single point of reference,” she said.
“Together, the tools will be a great resource for our youth, parents, decision makers, professionals in the youth field and new residents of our area.
“I hope that the resources will be helpful to the community, particularly those looking to assist young people,” added council’s community services officer Sandra Vlacci.
BHP Billiton Mt Arthur Coal is investing more than $1.3 million over four years in the Community Capacity Building Project through which council and UHCS are working together to build a strong, sustainable and resilient Muswellbrook Shire community.
The initiative was developed in response to community feedback received through Mt Arthur Coal’s Sustainable Communities Project.
Copies of the information report and brochure are available on the council and UHCS websites: http://www.muswellbrook.nsw.gov.au and http://www.uhcs.org.au
