Expanded headspace centre opens for youth

TAYLAH Sims experienced the proof of considerable effort from Ballarat’s youth when she walked through the city’s new headspace office last week.

The headspace youth reference group member helped officially open the service’s new location at Dawson Street North on Wednesday 18 February.

Funded with $1.2 million from the Federal Government via Western Victoria Primary Health Network, the purpose-built centre features colourful, engaging spaces housing a range of health and support services for young people.

headspace relocated from its previous Camp Street office to accommodate services.

In the past year, headspace Ballarat had more than 4800 appointments regarding mental and physical health, and vocational support.

Miss Sims said she was excited about the centre.

“Walking through the space it feels very real and very much like we have much more opportunities for the future,” she said.

The service collaborated with young people on the centre’s design.

“Everything down to the couches that people sit on are exactly what we imagined,” Miss Sims said. “Very comforting, very casual to keep people engaged.”

Sean Duffy, chief executive officer of the centre’s lead agency Ballarat Community Health, said the facility offered not just clinical support but a range of services.

“We wanted to make sure we’ve got room to grow as different services come into the facility and into the broader service network that we can accommodate them,” he said.

headspace chief executive officer Jason Trethowan said the building centralised many services to meet demand.

“So Ballarat Community Health for instance will have a number of their staff based here because it means young people don’t have to be referred off elsewhere,” he said.

“They can actually still come here for a more comprehensive suite of services and that’s what this building has enabled, a deeper suite of services based on where they are at and based on what their needs are.”

Federal Member for Ballarat Catherine King said she was delighted to tour the new facility.

“It’s meant that they’ve also been able to bring some of the youth community health services, youth legal service, youth homelessness service, other opportunities, GP here and the youth nurse as well,” she said.

“I encourage young people to reach out, use the services, they are here for you and they are free.”