Opinions sought for youth COVID impact

THE City of Greater Geelong wants to hear from the region’s young people about how COVID-19 has affected them to inform the organisation’s ongoing pandemic response.

The city has begun a research project that will culminate in the COVID-19 Youth Impact Report, which will combine external studies with the experiences of local residents aged 12 to 25.

The report aims to highlight areas of concern that arose during the pandemic for the city’s youth and to provide recommendations for how the city can best support young people deal with those impacts.

Youth development officers from the city will seek feedback during school holidays at the city’s youth hubs in Norlane, Whittington and Armstrong Creek.

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan said it was important for the city to provide the best possible support to the group that had been heavily affected by the pandemic.

“I encourage young people to complete the survey so as to help us understand the impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic is having, and has had, on their lives.

“The information will be very useful in influencing future programs aimed at addressing these impacts.”

The city is inviting feedback for the next month, before collating and analysing results for a report to the council and youth council due in April.

Public submissions are open until February 17 at the city’s website at yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/YIR