Bridgewater Youth Hub Development Phases
The Youth Hub Development Phases outline a plan to create a dedicated, youth-friendly space in Brighton, bringing together key services to support young people. By fostering collaboration among organisations, engaging youth in service design, and expanding resources over time, the hub aims to improve access to essential support in health, education, employment, and justice. This initiative is designed to empower young people, strengthen community connections, and drive lasting positive change.
Phases
Phase 1: Establishing a Central Hub
The first phase involves creating a co-located space where existing services can work collaboratively under formal agreements, initially through Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs). This hub will serve as a base for organisations dedicated to supporting young people in Brighton. Identified partners include:
Red Cross
Communities for Children
HIPPY (Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters)
Brighton Council (Youth Action Group collaboration)
Tasmanian Health Service
Given the current shortage of office space in the region, the youth hub is expected to be fully tenanted by services committed to co-location and youth engagement.
Phase 2: Co-Designing Youth Services
The second phase focuses on engaging young people in the co-design of services, ensuring the hub is tailored to their needs. This space will address mental health, substance use, primary care, education, employment, training, and justice-related issues, providing access to services that are often only available in Hobart. The youth hub aims to:
Provide a culturally safe environment for youth engagement.
Offer programs that divert young people from the justice system.
Foster strong connections between young people and support networks.
Serve as a "one-stop-shop" integrating justice, health, education, and social services.
Phase 3: Expanding and Strengthening Services
As the youth hub grows, Phase 3 will focus on expanding its services and partnerships to ensure sustainability and effectiveness. This includes:
Strengthening relationships with local schools, businesses, and training providers.
Expanding programs based on community feedback and emerging needs.
Enhancing funding streams to support long-term service delivery.
Developing outreach initiatives to engage young people who are not accessing existing services.
Goals and Expected Outcomes
The youth hub aims to improve outcomes for Brighton’s youth by:
Providing rapid access to targeted youth services.
Creating a safe space for warm referrals and service pathways.
Integrating key support services into a youth-friendly setting.
Reducing access barriers by centralising services.
Establishing measurable outcomes to track success.
Supporting Aboriginal youth and working towards closing the gap.
Co-creating services with youth and their families.
By forming a cooperative network of stakeholders, including youth representatives, the hub will ensure the voices of young people are central to its design and operation. The goal is to create a sustainable, community-driven initiative that empowers Brighton’s youth and fosters long-term positive change.