The newly renamed ‘Beaches Youth Hub’, formerly Avalon Youth Hub, was launched in its new space at the Avalon Recreation Centre, Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach last month, on September 18, 2024.
In May this year, Northern Beaches Council endorsed the development for the Hub, offering it the former Avalon Customer Contact Centre, enabling the expansion of its services and the provision of additional support to tackle the challenges faced by young people. The space has since been refurbished and renovated.
What is the Beaches Youth Hub?
It is a community service destination with its goal being to provide a range of free wellbeing services to young people aged 12-24 in the Pittwater region of the Northern Beaches.
It’s a successful collaboration of support services, with Burdekin as the lead agency. The service providers work together to make a difference to the mental health and wellbeing of young people, providing free one-on-one counselling, case management and mentoring, advice, referrals and general support to young people.
Mental health services are provided by KYDS, Mission Australia Northern Sydney, SDECC (Sydney Drug Education and Counselling Centre), headspace Brookvale, Lifeline Northern Beaches and Burdekin.
Why the re-brand?
The Youth Hub was originally opened in 2018, following a spate of teen suicides. Having demonstrated success in supporting the mental health of young people and reducing the incidence of suicide, the rebranding to Beaches Youth Hub will allow it to expand its footprint across Pittwater.
Launch Event
Over 50 people attended the launch event, with Northern Beaches Council (represented by Kylie Walsh – Executive Manager of Arts and Culture), Jacqui Scruby – Teal Independent candidate for Pittwater, Georgia Ryburn – Former Deputy Mayor and Liberal candidate for Pittwater, and Dr Sophie Scamps – Federal MP for Mackellar.
“The new Beaches Youth Hub represents hope and support for so many. With this larger space and enhanced resources, we can do even more to address the unique mental health challenges faced by young people. Whether through one-on-one counselling or group activities, we’re committed to providing a safe, inclusive environment.”
Nelly Martin, Community Engagement Officer at Beaches Youth Hub
“It has been my absolute privilege to be part of the Avalon Youth Hub for the past five years. It’s a wonderful community. And, I just feel really privileged.
My part in this afternoon’s launch is to talk about the service partners who deliver counselling here for us – they’re so important and we couldn’t do it without them. There have been partner agencies from the beginning – including KYDS and Mission Australia. And, we have some new partners here too – SDECC – Sydney Drug and Education Counselling Centre – and it’s great to have them and Lifeline Northern Beaches returning.”
Tanya Preston, Coordinator Youth Services, Burdekin
The Beaches Youth Hub is located at the Avalon Recreation Centre building at 59 Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach.
The new operating location will allow the Beaches Youth Hub to extend its opening hours, which are currently:
Monday 9.00am to 5.00pm, Tuesday to Thursday afternoons 1.00pm to 5.00pm, and Friday 10.00am to 3.00pm. Drop-in visitors are welcome, or phone 0487 936 875.
To discover more about Beaches Youth Hub, click here.
