Youth Insearch response to COVID-19 pandemic | Page 15 | Youth Insearch

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Wed, 18/03/2020 - 15:30

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Announcements, Virtual World

Youth Insearch has cancelled the 20-22 March Lake Keepit weekend workshop in northern New South Wales in response to the Federal Department of Health’s advice around the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. 

All participants and volunteers registered for this workshop have been contacted personally and provided information and support. Youth Insearch is committed to its staff, participants and volunteers and will offer further individual support for young people affected by the closure of the weekend workshop. 

Youth Insearch weekend workshops have been held at two locations this year – one last weekend at Forest Edge in Gippsland, Victoria and one on the first weekend in March at Chaverim Shalom College Outdoor and Environment Centre in Bundaberg, Queensland. 

Youth Insearch followed the Department’s advice to minimise transmission by communicating a precautionary action plan for each workshop which included advice on restricting physical contact. Youth Insearch also asked participants, staff and volunteers not to attend workshops if they were feeling unwell. 

A final decision on whether to cancel the weekend workshop at CCC Central Coast in New South Wales scheduled for 1 May will be made closer to the date. Any decision will be based on advice from Federal and State health authorities. The health and wellbeing of participants, volunteers, staff and the wider community is paramount.

Local weekly support groups will continue virtually to ensure the safety of our staff and the community, where we will support young people via phone and video conferencing. Details about how this will be run will be communicated to each young person and to our referring partners over the next few days. We will continue to monitor this rapidly evolving situation. 

Youth Insearch understands that young people may be feeling vulnerable during this difficult time. Youth Insearch wants to minimise any concern or anxiety, particularly for young participants, and will continue to provide support through all other channels. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please call Youth Insearch on 1800 805 635, contact us directly or reach out to your local program coordinator. 

On behalf of the Youth Insearch team, we hope everyone remains happy and healthy over the coming weeks. 

Please read the following resources for more information on COVID-19.​

Federal https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov...
NSW https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx 
QLD https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid...
VIC https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus 

The current environment may be distressing for many. If you need assistance, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Help Line on 1800 55 1800 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.