YMCA invites youth to connect face-to-face during NSW Youth Week

Today marks the beginning of NSW Youth Week and as part of the largest and oldest youth organisation in the world, the Y NSW is inviting young people to connect face-to-face in the gym or at one of the many free activities in their Y Spaces across the state.

Youth Week runs from 16th to 24th April in NSW. The 2021 theme is 'together more than ever'.

A number of Y NSW run recreation centres and pools will offer free access to gyms for young people throughout the week and $0 joining fee for fitness (or Teen Gym) memberships for those who choose to opt into the Y NSW community on an ongoing basis.

In addition, Y Spaces in metro and regional NSW will come alive with activities and connection.

Y NSW Acting Chief Executive, Bridgette Godden said this year Youth Week will truly be something special and notes “the past 12 months have been incredibly challenging, especially for young people. For the Y NSW the pandemic saw doors to our recreation facilities closed for months on end and our hallmark youth programs like Youth Parliament and Streetgym placed on pause.

“As part of the oldest and largest youth organisation in the world, the Y NSW is premised on the absolute centrality of community connection to individual wellbeing. We know that opportunities to connect face-to-face are an absolute priority for young people coming out of the pandemic and so in Youth Week we’re ensuring that is exactly what we offer.

“We are absolutely pumped to see our smiling communities reunited once again to celebrate the power, resilience and tenacity of our state’s inspiring young people.”

Young people are invited to connect at the Y and come together at the following events:

Western Sydney

• Bankstown 50th birthday celebrations: YMCA Bankstown City, Sunday 18th April, 11am-3pm

• Y Space Pop Up: Parramatta Westfield, Shop 2168, Level 2

  • Visual Culture: Collage Workshop: Saturday 17th April, 2.30-4.30pm

  • Graphic Design workshop: Thursday 22nd April, 3.30-5.30pm

  • Flower Crown Workshop: Thursday 29th April, 3.30-5.30pm

Central Coast

• Streetgym (San Remo): LINKS Youth Support Services, Youth Cabin, Brava Ave San Remo, Tuesday 20th April, 3-4pm

• Streetgym (Lake Haven): Lake Haven Recreation Centre, Thursday 22nd April, 2.30-4.30pm

Cooma (in partnership with Snowy Monaro Regional Council)

• Skate Park Jam: Cooma Skate Park, Friday 16th April, 2.30pm

• Support & Advocacy: The Hub, 39-41 Vale St Cooma, 6th and 24th April, 9am-5pm

• Youth Homelessness Matters Day: Centennial Park Cooma, Monday 19th April, 4.30-8.30pm

•  Berridale Skate Park Event: Berridale Skate Park, Tuesday 20th April, 4-6pm

• Youth Week Breakfast Club: Monaro High School (open to school students only), Thursday 22nd April, 8-9am

Broken Hill (in partnership with Broken Hill Regional Council)

• Skate Workshop: Duff Street Park, Monday 19th April, 4-6pm

Young people are also encouraged to share what they’re up to and what Youth Week means to them with @theynsw on Instagram for the chance to win a $100 Visa Gift Card.
Visit www.ymcansw.org.au/promotion/NSW-Youth-Week-21 for competition details