Melton Shire Council’s 6801 Youth Outreach Program is taking to the streets in its new look Kia van.
Located in the west of Melbourne, Melton Shire has a young, vibrant and rapidly growing community. With more than 78,000 residents,
12 to 24 year olds make up almost 19 per cent of the population. Projections suggest that this age bracket will grow by 70 per cent in the Shire within the next ten years.
Initiated in 1990, the 6801 Youth Outreach service provides crisis response, youth and family support, as well as community safety programs on Friday and Saturday nights.
Melton’s Deputy Mayor, Councillor Justin Mammarella, said the 6801 service is mobile and able to respond to the changing needs of the community by providing information, support and referral to young people within the Shire.
“The service focuses on harm minimisation strategies that help young people and community members to deal with the relevant issues in a safe and effective manner, with the best possible outcomes for all involved,” he said. “Areas targeted by the 6801 program include drug and alcohol information, safe transport, police liaison, emergency accommodation, housing support and community education programs.”
The highly visible van is a key part of the program’s work, and is used to provide safe transport to young people who feel vulnerable, unsafe to walk alone, or who cannot make it home any other way on Friday and Saturday evenings.
It has been painted with brightly coloured artwork to promote the work of the program to the community.
6801 program workers drive the van around the Shire from 6.00pm to 12.30am on Friday and Saturday nights. They engage with young people who are out in the community and also receive phone calls from young people who are feeling unsafe or are seeking information and support.
Councillor Mammarella said that at times, this may lead to a request for a lift as they are unable to get home, but the lift is not a key focus of the program.
“The focus of the service is to provide information and support to young people to ensure their safety and wellbeing,” he said.
For further information on the 6801 Youth Outreach program contact Melton Shire Council’s Youth Services on (03) 9747 7200.
