WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOUR YOUNG PERSON ATTENDS REACH

Reach workshops are safe and supportive spaces where young people can connect and share stories honestly; spaces where they can push their comfort zones, experience belonging, discover their strengths, and build their self-efficacy and resilience. It is our experience that when young people discover and work to accept who they truly are, they are able to develop a greater sense of confidence and purpose in life.

General aims of our workshops:

• Enhance the social and emotional skills of young people
• Build their resilience and belief in themselves and each other as a group
• Promote self-awareness and optimism
• Provide an opportunity to come together as a group in a meaningful way

“Reach normalises the grief and anxiety of growing up and, in doing so, inspires young people not to be spooked by the emotion of it all, but to dream and to hope for one’s own destiny.” – John Urbano, Psychologist

Who delivers the workshops?

The Reach Facilitators, who we call “Crew”.

The Reach Crew are young people who have undertaken years of intensive training in facilitating Reach Workshops and inspiring other young people. Through our Leadership development program, they practice designing and delivering activities, reading a room, identifying the needs of individuals and groups, asking insightful questions, and other key skills. Along the way, crew are supported, trained and mentored to learn about themselves and fulfil their own potential.

All of the crew who run our workshops (as well as adults in supporting roles) are required to complete a Working with Children Check. They also agree to maintain Reach policies and participate in further trainings around managing disclosures and our Code of Conduct.

You can find out more about how our crew are trained, here.

How we support young people

Because of the possible emotional response some people may have to the unique environment created in our workshops, we are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all participants.

Reach has a comprehensive wellbeing framework embedded throughout the organisation, headed by our Wellbeing team. The Reach Wellbeing Team is made up of qualified social workers, psychologists, or Masters-level qualified counsellors who have extensive experience working with young people. Our Wellbeing Team works alongside our facilitators in supporting them to design and deliver all Reach workshops.

Integral to our wellbeing framework are proactive measures to ensure the emotional wellbeing of participants and crew. These measures include collaborating with young people, schools, and parents/carers before, during, and after our workshops to understand and respond appropriately to participants’ wellbeing needs.

You can read more about our wellbeing framework and how our wellbeing team supports school here and community workshops here.

How can I support my young person?

Reach workshops can provide a safe space for young people to share and reflect on some of their experiences, which can leave them feeling a range of emotions – reflective, optimistic, quiet, tearful, or inspired. This is not unusual in the work that Reach does, and it may mean that after the workshop your young person will need time to process their experience. Some young people appreciate time alone, while others will want to share their experience with others and/or be surrounded by their support network.  

The best way you can support your young person is to simply connect.

Following a Reach workshop you can be sensitive to their needs by being curious and open-minded about their experience, and allowing them to share with you if and when they choose. Even if they don’t want to share or talk about their experience, simply being present is a powerful way to connect (e.g. doing things together like preparing dinner or watching a favourite tv show).

If you have any concerns or are unsure about how to support your young person after a Reach workshop, please contact the Reach Wellbeing Team for assistance. Whilst we do not provide long-term individual support, our Wellbeing Team can provide information, support, and referral to appropriate services. The Wellbeing Team provides this short-term support in partnership with young people, their parents/carers, their school, and current support network.