By Tom Clements, Youth Engagement Coordinator
Last month, I had the privilege of coordinating an incredible Chill Out Bowling Event through my work with the Guardian for Children and Young People.
The event brought together young people with lived experience of care or youth detention to connect directly with our team and The Guardian, Shona Reid.
It was amazing to connect and talk about the work we do, the role of the Guardian and how they can be involved in shaping projects, advice, and advocacy work across our office.
After a highly competitive game of UNO, some introductions and sharing information, we headed to ten-bin bowling and finished the day off with plenty of pizza and pins flying, strong connections, full bellies, and plenty of smiles.
This was one of many events we will host into the future as we connect with more young people who want to become part of our Advisory Youth Influence Network—AYIN ‘eyein’.
Our office has always had a considered focus on engaging and bringing to life the works and wisdom of children and young people who ‘collide’ with both the care and youth detention settings.
The perspectives they bring to the Guardian’s oversight plays a central role in the advice and perspectives provided to the Department leadership, Ministers and Parliamentarians.
Children and young people’s voices must be heard by decisions-makers, and they must also be respected and valued.
The real experts, the children and young people who have lived and experienced life in care and detention, must shape what these systems should look like so that they support all aspects of their lives and best interests.
Over the next few months, I will be building a deeper understanding of the children and young people’s individual interests so that I can offer them tailored engagement opportunities.
Some of the opportunities that will be available through our office into the future will be;
- Helping inform workers, carers, and other children and young people of their rights in fun and engaging ways.
- Public speaking and co-presenting opportunities with the Guardian—including at major conferences
- Being part of media projects where they can share their stories, experiences, and views on child protection and youth justice, or shaping projects that will help the wider community understand these topics
- Helping run community event stalls, during key dates like NAIDOC Week;
- Creative opportunities, like performing in our mascots and symbol of safety for kids in care — Oog and Nunga Oog
- Youth-led consultations, including around care and detention, that will inform our reports, publications and submissions to government and other stakeholders.
If you’re a child or young person interested in getting involved, we encourage you to reach out.
I, like the Guardian, am always keen to hear from young people (and the adults supporting them) about how they might like to be involved.
Whether it’s your first time connecting with us or you’ve worked with us before, there’s a place for you in AYIN.
Let us work together to make sure your voice shapes the future of care and youth justice in South Australia.
To stay up to date with our opportunities, contact me on 0491 917 834 or tom.clement@sa.gov.au, and don’t forget to follow us on social media.
