Supporting Young People Across the Territory

This year, National Youth Week coincides with school holidays and Anglicare NT is supporting several initiatives for young people. In Darwin, Anglicare NT and City of Darwin will host the annual Couch Surfing event, which aims to raise awareness of the disproportionally high rates of youth homelessness. Held on Youth Homelessness Matters Day, the event involves teams of young people racing each other on decorated couches. Over 20 local organisations will hold information stalls, NT Thunder will run sporting activities and Larrakia TV and Radio will broadcast live from the event that runs from 10am – 2pm on Wednesday 17 April at Civic Park.

The East Arnhem youth team are partnering with local organisations to offer a range of holiday activities including movie screenings, a Colour Run, a bush trip and cupcake decorating – with the cupcakes to be delivered to community members. In Katherine, Anglicare NT and other local agencies are providing free food, activities and a movie screening to raise awareness of Youth Homelessness Matters Day.

“On Youth Homelessness Matters Day, we are raising awareness of the fact that on any given night, more than 3,500 young people are experiencing homelessness in the Northern Territory,” said Anglicare NT CEO Dave Pugh.

“Our young people are struggling – according to the 2016 census data, the Northern Territory has 1 per cent of Australia’s youth population but represents 13 per cent of the nation’s homeless youth.”

“What we need is for political leaders to commit to a national plan to tackle homelessness for all young Australians,” said Mr Pugh.

Anglicare NT supports young people across the Territory through a range of services including childbirth education, intensive youth and family support, school holiday programs, out of home care, post-care support, youth diversion and innovative group work. For young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, Anglicare NT can assist with support, referrals, emergency financial relief and short to medium-term accommodation.

headspace Darwin, operated by Anglicare NT, provides mental health, drug and alcohol, work and study support to young people in the community. Anglicare NT is looking forward to opening a new headspace centre in Katherine later this year – a place where young people will be able to get the support they need to get back on their feet and fulfil their potential.

Anglicare NT are holding couch surfing races on National Youth Homelessness Matters Day.