Local youth enjoying the Marramarra youth summer sessions workshops.
Parkes Shire Council was lucky to receive a $12,600 grant for 2022-23 school holiday activities for youth aged 12-24 years in the Parkes Shire from the NSW Government Holiday Break Program. Parkes youth had the opportunity to:
Develop new creative skills in Resin Pouring and Bali Batik ink techniques in flag making.
Learn about stand-up comedy and develop their own routine with Aussie comedian Anthony Lamond; and
Team up together to complete a photo scavenger hunt around the Parkes CBD.
“Diversity in our offerings for youth is so important”, said Creative Learning Programs Coordinator Roxanne Gallacher, the Summer Sessions Project Manager.
“Being able to access grant funding to deliver these sessions to the youth of Parkes is a privilege, and we are extremely grateful to the Office of Regional Youth for the opportunity to bring something different this year,” Roxanne said.
As a result we had 92 young people attend across the seven events. Feedback that the programs were giving youth opportunities not readily available, with a good variety and comparable, or exceeding those of larger regional centres.
Ability to reach youth who had not been to library events or workshops before and they have been willing to connect into the library as a source of creativity and information.
There has been an increase in bookings for other library programs and events, bringing new youth into the Library spaces and connecting youth from different schools together in a relaxed environment.