Get Involved
At YSAS, we uphold your right to participate in decisions that affect you. We believe this participation can empower, help to build confidence, and assist in the development of new skills for all involved. Your expertise helps YSAS to support young people.
Youth participation at YSAS is designed to benefit you, YSAS services and governance, and the broader community. You decide the benefit relating to your own goals and plans. YSAS massively values your contributions and welcomes the creation of new ideas and suggestions that improve our services and programs for everyone.
You can get involved in Youth Participation at YSAS by:
Joining one of the Youth Action and Advisory Groups
Helping with an event
Creating artwork, poetry, or music for a project
Attending focus groups or participating in a survey
Provide feedback to a YSAS worker, in the DropBox, or on our website
You will receive a volunteer payment as recognition for your time and expertise. If you want to know more about this volunteer payment, or anything else about Youth Participation at YSAS, ask your worker or the YSAS Youth Participation Team on (03) 9415 8881
The CREW • Young Voices for Change
New CREW Code:
Creating change across YSAS and beyond whilst having fun, connecting, and learning new skills. Ensuring that young people's lived expertise is valued and central to organisational decision making.
CREW Code: Developed by the CREW – Aug 2020
What is the CREW?
The CREW is YSAS’ Youth Action and Advisory Group; a collective of young people with the goal of taking action, creating opportunity, and making change. The CREW is about creating pathways for young people to participate in all areas of decision-making. Members of the CREW are young people aged 16-25 from across Victoria with a connection to YSAS.
The CREW meets fortnightly and plays a key role in the organisation; from consulting and advising on programs and treatment models, to planning and co-delivering CREW ideas.
For more information about how to get involved with the CREW phone us on (03) 9415 8881 or email CREW@ysas.org.au
Headspace Collingwood YAC
Our services at headspace Collingwood are influenced by the hard work of our Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). Our YAC is run by a peer worker who works one day a week on all things youth participation.
The group meets every three weeks and runs regular fundraising events in the community, develops projects, informs policy and processes at our centre, speaks at schools and local organisations, runs a blog and creates social media content, as well as generally makes our centre a better place to be.
Email reception@collingwoodheadspace.org.au to find out about the YAC or how to get involved.
Headspace Frankston YRG
The Youth Reference Group helps shape headspace Frankston services; co-designs and delivers programs, projects and events; and educates other young people.
YRG members are aged 16-24, from the Frankston & Mornington Peninsula regions, and:
Have had experience of feeling depressed or anxious, substance use or other mental health issues, &/or
Have a family member who has/had a mental illness or substance use problem &/or
Has an interest in youth health and wellbeing.
The YRG meets fortnightly on Tuesdays at 4pm. For more information about getting involved call 9769 6419
Youth Advocates
The Youth Advocate role is a two-year pilot program that was created to employ two young people with lived experience of accessing YSAS services. This position aims to elevate the voices of young people and ensures their expertise is being heard and implemented at all levels of YSAS. This role demonstrates YSAS’ commitment to Youth Participation.
The role was created on recommendation from the CREW that YSAS needed to produce employment pathways for young people. Youth Advocates are former members of the CREW, Collingwood YAC, and/or Frankston YRG.
Our two current Youth Advocates are Sarah and Lucy. They have been helping to facilitate the CREW whilst also completing their own projects. Lucy has completed guidelines for Working with Lived Experience workers at YSAS and Sarah has been exploring advocacy through Art.
LISTEN TO THE LATEST YOUTH ADVOCATE PODCAST - WISE AS YSAS