Welcome back to the 2024 school year. The Wellbeing team hope you all had a fantastic break and are feeling refreshed, recharged and ready to focus on your learning.

Meet the team for 2024:

Kerri Haworth Nella Foley Beth Mennie

Director of Wellbeing Mental Health Practitioner Youth Worker Les

Twentyman Foundation

James Stoddard Nicole Huang Donna Hurst Jackie Teese

Speech Pathologist Counsellor Counsellor Counsellor

Good Sleep Habits

Good sleep habits (sometimes referred to as “sleep hygiene”) can help you get a good night’s sleep. How much sleep you need changes as you age.

It is recommended that teens get 8-10 hours of sleep per 24 hours.

Some habits that can improve your sleep health:

Be consistent. Go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning, including on the weekends
Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, relaxing, and at a comfortable temperature (between 15-20 degrees)
Remove electronic devices, such as TVs, computers, and smartphones from the bedroom
Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime
Get some exercise. Being physically active during the day can help you fall asleep more easily at night.

___________________________________________________________________________

Support for young people in Kingston

Kingston Youth Services helps young people 12-25 with a variety of things, such as becoming employment ready, getting involved in the community, connecting with mental health services, life skills and more.

Young people can also visit Platform 81, a free drop-in centre located in Mordialloc on Friday afternoons. The drop-in program provides a safe and inclusive environment where young people can meet up with their peers, play games, access resources and enjoy free snacks. Platform 81 is fully supervised by Council's qualified youth workers, who are available to speak with young people about what's on their mind. Platform 81 also offers a variety of programs from Monday to Friday, for details check out what's on.

For details, contact our Youth Services team on 1300 369 436, email youth.services@kingston.vic.gov.au or visit the Youth Services website kingstonyouth.org.au.

You can also follow updates on programs, events and other initiatives by following us on Instagram @kingstonyouthservices and Facebook www.facebook.com/kingstonyouthservices.

Looking for some additional support?

Kingston Youth Services offers free counselling and youth worker support with no need for a mental health care plan. To refer yourself or someone you know, you can:

Complete an online referral form
Call 1300 369 436 and speak with the Youth Team
Send an email, youth.services@kingston.vic.gov.au
Or drop in at Platform 81 on Wednesdays from 3.00pm - 5.00pm

Help us redesign our website

Kingston Youth Services is undertaking an exciting new project to redesign our Youth Services website and we need your help by completing a short survey. The purpose of this survey is to better understand the state of our website from a customer perspective. We will use the feedback provided to help us redesign the website to better serve the needs of our community. Responses to this survey are completely voluntary and anonymous. If you are under 16 years of age, you must obtain parental/guardian permission to complete the survey. Take the survey

Queer in Kingston

Queer in Kingston (QIK) is a safe, inclusive, confidential weekly support group for young people 12 to 17 years of age who may identify as LGBTQIA+, including diverse sex characteristics, sexualities, and gender identities or those who may be questioning these aspects of their identity. Our QIK program provides an opportunity for young people to hang out and get to know other LGBTQIA+ young people in the community. Interested in being a part of the QIK program? More information and sign up

Pride Connect is new to Kingston

Pride Connect is a new initiative for Kingston Youth Services, created to provide a safe, inclusive, confidential social group for young people 18 to 25 years of age who may identify as LGBTQIA+, including diverse sex characteristics, sexualities, and gender identities or those who may be questioning these aspects of their identity. Pride Connect provides an opportunity for young people to hang out and explore the complexities of being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. More information and sign up

Art in Aspendale on Mondays

Aspendale Youth Cove (AYC) is a satellite pop-up space providing opportunities for young people to engage with Youth Services and participate in a variety of activities. AYC on Mondays is all about art and getting creative! Join us as we dedicate Monday afternoons to learning and exploring all different forms and types of art (all materials provided). Our AYC program runs weekly except for school holidays. More information and sign up

YA Chat monthly in Parkdale

Kingston Youth Services is committed to providing safe spaces for young people to socialise and engage in various activities. YA Chat is a safe and inclusive space for young people to meet socially and discuss a variety of topics including pop culture, music, TV, podcasts and books. Grab a friend and join our youth team monthly at Parkdale Library. To join, you must be between the ages of 13 and 21 and connected to the City of Kingston (live, work, study) More information and sign up

Wellbeing Contact Form

Contact our Cheltenham Secondary College Wellbeing team directly with any concerns or issues and one of the team will get back to you. The form can be accessed here.

Helpful Contacts

Headspace

http://www.headspace.org.au/

Headspace Centres can be a one-stop shop for all young people who just need some help with everyday stuff or wellbeing and physical health.

Kids Helpline

https://kidshelpline.com.au/

Kids Helpline is across Australia, it is free, private and confidential 24/7. Mainly for young people aged 5 to age 25.

Call them on.. 1800 55 1800

Lifeline

https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Provides all Australians everywhere experiencing a personal crisis allowing 24-hour support. Call them on.. 13 11 14

Beyond Blue

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

Provides information and support which helps tackle head-on the effects of mental health issues no matter where or what age.

Call them on.. 1300 22 4636

Parentline

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/serviceprofiles/parentline-service

Fantastic service for parents and carers of young children from a few days of age all the way up to 18-year-olds. This service offers counselling and support which is confidential and anonymous on all issues around parenting. Call them on...13 22 89.

Community News

Recycle Regatta | Hockey Skills Clinic | Stage School Australia | Kingston Basketball | Dingley Neighbourhood Centre Teen Games CL