Aaron's Workshop Experience
Aaron joined the Youth Insearch community as a Support Adult in early 2020 and attended the first workshop for the year - right before the lockdown in the early days of COVID-19.
My experience from the March weekend workshop in Bundaberg Queensland was a positive and enjoyable one. I gained a lot out of this weekend, as did the young people that attended this workshop.
I loved how the young people have a lot of input in the group sessions and that they are given the chance to have their say and share strategies with each other. The strategies come from their own lived experiences in the past, which is discussed in group sessions to help other young people overcome difficult experiences in their lives.
This is empowering for each young person in the group. It is not just about the Leaders and the support workers leading the workshop, which I think can be intimidating for young people at times when advice is only coming from the adults. There is a really good balance with the peer-to-peer support, and the family environment formed in the workshop, which builds a warm and trusting environment for these young people to grow and open up.
One of the biggest things I learnt from this workshop is that it is so important to listen - and really listen - and not to be in a hurry to answer or give the advice. Asking more questions to get the whole story and get to the bottom of what is having an impact on them in their lives. I believe this strategy covers all the areas at hand and the young people get a better understanding of how to deal with the matter or what is going on within themselves.
Aaron is seen here during the Entertainment session wearing his Superman costume as part of the Heroes and Villains theme for the weekend
I loved been a part of making a different to young people’s lives. The warmth I felt from Youth Insearch family, and the great food, made it a great weekend all round for me.
I thought it was a well-run program that reached out to the young people that attended and made them feel supported.
I look forward to the next workshop and many more in the future that I will be attending and the experience that I will gain from each and every one of them.
INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING?
If you are interested in volunteering your time from home, we are seeking volunteer Support Adults to help our young people through this challenging time and with their everyday lives. For more information contact Sharon Schofield on 0499 400 046 or send us an enquiry.
Regrettably, weekend workshops are not running at this time due to social distancing restrictions but we are engaging with young people via Microsoft Teams on a weekly basis, and our volunteers are an incredibly important part of this service delivery.
Picture of workshop session demonstrating zero touching through hovering hands rather than holding hands, to minimise transmission of COVID-19.
