Supporting youth through some of the most confronting and confusing time of their lives thus far. 

MidCoast Council’s youth engagement officer Russell Ingram wanted the community to get behind the initiative of Youth Work Week to celebrate the efforts of youth workers in the Manning, Great Lakes and Gloucester. 

Using the platform of the Manning Youth Facebook page Russell profiled seven youth workers on their experience in the role, their passion for the job and what they like to do in their spare time. Originally from Perth, Russell moved to the Manning around 12 months to take up his position. In that time he’s supported various groups like the Manning Youth Action Group and Taree Aquatic Centre’s YMCA to involve more youth focused ideas like the upcoming Christmas Pool Party for teenagers on December 9. 

Russell said growing up he had some influential people in his life and the most fulfilling part of his job is helping youth find the right, positive path to follow. 

Russell explained Youth Work Week started in the Commonwealth countries and has been gaining momentum in Australia for the last couple of years. 

To mark the week he wanted to share some of the faces and stories of the dedicated workers in our area. 

One of these workers was youth outreach worker at Taree High School Briony Stockdale. On her passion for the job Briony said, “I think each of us are born with our own set of strengths and abilities, but some of us don’t have the platform to express these, or take pride in them”.

“I hope that through helping young people to realise what makes them awesome, they will discover their inherent abilities and achieve wonderful things,” she said. Aboriginal Ability Links co-ordinator Pru Hampton said her work, “aims to assist people with a disability to feel included, valued and seen as equal members of their communities”. 

Pru said youth work helps young people into a brighter future, through creating opportunities to talk about their individual goals and aspirations.

Student support officer at Chatham High School Nathan Paff said his role helps student overcome barriers to participation as well as linking students and their families to appropriate services within the community.

“I enjoy working at Chatham High and seeing the amazing successes our students have,” he said. 

See more of the stories on the Manning Youth Facebook page