Young Voices Drive Change at Charlestown's Place-Based Abilities Program

The Place-Based Abilities program, commencing in late 2024, is reaching its first full year of operation.

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Over the past year, this capacity-building program, a collaboration between The Place: Charlestown Community Centre and ReadyUpSkills, has offered an array of activities providing joy, skill-building and empowerment to both 10 to 16-year-olds and 17 to 25-year-olds age groups.

Those who’ve joined us have been diligently working on a few group projects and events. Our project focus thus far is the development of an Accessibility Audit App, which is informed by the participants every step of the way. From discussing what accessibility means to them with occupational therapist Grey from hbRehab, to devising how the app would function with IT expert Tristan from Myrtec, to working together in teams to build the landing page’s identity with icons, colours and logos – the project has brought countless inputs and perspectives to the forefront.

“I love making the app,” one member noted. “[This program] gives us a voice.”

Voice and agency doesn’t stop there. Participants in the program have planned accessible community events that are open to the greater public, with the goal of bridging the greater community together. With a Halloween disco held in 2024, a trivia-cosplay hybrid event held in early 2025, and now an upcoming Paint + Pizza event coming in June, participant voice is crucial to shape the events, from conception to execution. Once the event rolls around, group members see their vision and ideas come to life.

From week to week, the program offers a wide range of activities to meet the group's diverse interests. Each weekly session is jam-packed with fun things to do, ranging from hands-on art like clay models and canvas painting, to teambuilding challenges like tower building, to classic board games. There’s something for everyone in the program.

“I love the craft!” and “my favourite part of this place is making friends,” exclaimed one of our members.

“If I wasn’t here, I’d be so bored at home,” another noted.

With limited spots available in both age groups, and the program entirely free (no NDIS funding required), we encourage anyone interested to reach out to (02) 4032 5500 or to email youthprograms1@theplacecharlestown.org.au to register their interest. Make sure to register for this term's Paint + Pizza event.