SERVICE MESSAGE - IYC Young People, Families, Staff, Volunteers, Board, Student Placements and Community would like to give a big warm thank you to all who support IYC, not close the centre doors. It's with a heavy heart that IYC informs you that IYC closed its centre doors on March 1st 2024 at the location in Bundoora due to not being refunded by the government, IYC acknowledges and is grateful for the Federal Government grant to grow IYC with the centre in 2022. IYC campaigned to all tiers of government, did a fundraiser with events, went to media, had a petition, tried auspices and unfortunately could not raise enough funds to keep the centre operational. IYC will not close as a charity/service organisation and reflect to provide NDIS services, consulting work, information and referral, and program work that will be done on a smaller scale until IYC grows again and can do more and run a centre again. As the motto goes at IYC
"Believe and Create"
SwitchedOn
ELGIBILITY
All young people aged 12-25 in Melbourne's metropolitan area with access to internet and required IT to the activities can access SwitchedOn.
We would also post on our social media of activity times and links, so follow us on either Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to find out.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is SwitchedOn?
SwitchedOn is a virtual outreach program which offers various online social, recreational, and educational activities hosted by qualified youth workers for young people to choose to engage with. The program aims to promote the personal development and wellbeing of young people while reducing their social isolation during COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.
SwitchedOn will have a number of interactive online activities. These activities could be:
-
Educational workshops via video conferencing,
-
Online gaming group sessions with platforms like Nintendo Switch or Playstation 4
-
Support chat groups like a girls only or LGBTIQ only meetup and chat.
-
Other enjoyment activities like karaoke, trivia nights, book clubs, and movie nights.
All activities will encourage young people to participate to chat and socialise with one another as well as with youth workers.
Why IYC is aiming for SwitchedOn?
SwitchedOn is about targeting an already an existing issue with loneliness among young people. The AIHW (2019) has reported that 18.2% of 15-19 year olds and 17.4% of 20-24 year olds reported feeling lonely. Furthermore, the APS (2018) conducted a national survey which found that 18-25 year olds reported feeling lonely 47% of the time. And as result of the COVID-19 lockdown, Socialsuite (2020) issued a report that there has been a 11% jump of young people aged 18-24 reporting feeling lonely. With this research, IYC is aware and concerned about how loneliness impacts young people’s wellbeing and social connectedness, especially during COVID-19.
SwitchedOn is about connecting with young people and addressing their concerns about social isolation, such as boredom and loneliness, while complying with the Victorian Government's rules, such as social distancing, according to its state of emergency in response to the Coronavirus.