Youth Services

Big Yellow Umbrella's (BYU) Youth program provides a wide range of services to young people and/or their families living in the Macarthur Local Government Area (LGA)
BYU works in partnership with a number of Macarthur based organisations to deliver quality programs and projects to meet the needs of young people in the area.
Early Intervention and Placement Program

This program, funded by NSW Family and Community Services, offers young people, aged 12 – 18 years, and/or their families living in the Macarthur LGA information, support, referrals and case management.

Big Yellow Umbrella's Case Manager works collaboratively, with a strengths-based approach to support children and young people, and their families.  Case Management involves an Intake, Assessment, Case Planning and Referrals to appropriate programs and services. Every Case Plan is unique to the individual, using a holistic approach.  We accept referrals from other agencies, Government Departments, families, and self-referrals.  For more information SMS Stephanie Roberts on 0434 812 951 or Email youth.services@yellowumbrella.org.au for our referral form.

Young people, are encouraged to drop in to BYU to speak to a youth worker.  Our Youth Workers can help with

    • life skills
    • social skills and relationships
    • financial management and budgeting
    • careers advice and support
    • self-help strategies connecting with family and education
Other activities to assist young people.

BYU provides groups for young people as the need arises, for example

    • School Workshops - Our FREE Connect Through Art Youth Group for students of Picton High School meets in term time from 1.15pm- 2.45pm.  Call us to enquire 02 4647 1283 or contact Picton High School's Wellbeing Coordinator. 
    • School Workshops – These are a range of tailored workshops that address a variety of pressing concerns for local young people.  Contact Big Yellow Umbrella to express your interest in any of the below workshops:
      • NAPCAN's Love Bites Healthy Relationships Workshop - tackling domestic violence and sexual assault with the support of local police
      • Healthy Relationships Workshop: have discussions about consent, respect and healthy relationships
      • Stress and HSC Study Skills Workshop
      • Body Image and Self-Esteem Workshop
      • Birds & Bees: Workshop that equips young men and women to tackle gender stereotypes, toxic masculinity and violence against women.
    • Individual Support: Case Management
      • Our Case Worker offers one-on-one support to help young people navigate the complexities of relationships, set goals together and address issues like unhealthy relationships, low self-esteem, family functioning and more.  For more information SMS Stephanie Roberts on 0434 812 951 or email youth.services@yellowumbrella.org.au
    • Community Support
      • In partnership with Camden Police BYU offers individual client support with the Juvenile Justice Case Conference process.
    • School Holiday Programs
      • Activities range to provide local young people with opportunities to get creative, active or build their skills in particular areas.

 

CURRENT PROGRAMS & SERVICES
  • Our Case Worker offers one-on-one support to help young people navigate the complexities of life, set goals together and address issues like unhealthy relationships, low self-esteem, family functioning and more. Our Case Manager works collaboratively, with a strengths-based approach to support children and young people, and their families. Case Management involves an Intake, Assessment, Case Planning and Referrals to appropriate programs and services. Every case plan is unique to the individual, using a holistic approach. We accept referrals from other agencies, Government Departments,  families, and self-referrals.For more information call or SMS Stephanie Roberts on 0434 812 951 or email youth.services@yellowumbrella.org.au

    When:  Every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday
    Where:  Julia Reserve Community Centre, Peter Brock Drive, Oran Park
    Cost:  FREE
    Register: Call 0434 812 951 or email youth.services@yellowumbrella.org.au

  • FREE supervised 2 hour sports session at AB Central for 6-17* year olds who live in the Campbelltown area, every Thursday from 5 - 7pm.

    No equipment is needed however feel free to bring along a pair of boxing gloves if you have them - all other equipment will be supplied, along with afternoon tea.

    Registration is essential so please call 4647 1283 to book your place.

    When:  Thursdays, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm 
    Where:  AB Central, 52 Riverside Dr, Airds
    Cost:  FREE
    Register: Call 4647 1283 to book

    *If you are over 16 years you must be fully vaccinated to attend.

  • The bushfires of 2019 affected us all in different ways. Hang out with us after school to have a chat and create some art (creating art is not compulsory)

    When:  Tuesday's 1.15pm - 2.45pm
    Where:  Picton High School
    Cost:  FREE
    Register:  Call BYU on 4647 1283 or SMS Nicole on 0422 946 358 or speak to Picton High School's Wellbeing Coordinator
     
  • When:  Wednesdays (during school term), 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm 
    Where:  Julia Reserve Youth Precinct, Peter Brock Drive, Oran Park
    Cost:  FREE
    Register: Call 4647 1283 to book
    Contact: Tanisha at tanisha.daluz@yellowumbrella.org.au or Call 02 4647 1283

    RAYN Code of Ethics

  • When:  Thursdays (during school term), 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm 
    Where:  Coco Cubano, C034A Macarthur Square Shopping Centre
    Cost:  FREE
    Register: Call 4647 1283 to book
    Contact: Leanne at children@yellowumbrella.org.au

    RAYN Code of Ethics

  • Contact our Youth Worker Stephanie at youth.services@yellowumbrella.org.au or call 02 4647 1283 Mob 0434 812 951

  • NAPCAN’s Love Bites is a well-established respectful relationship program that has been facilitated in high schools across Australia since 2004. Love Bites began as a community and grassroots response to the issue of relationship violence with workers from various agencies such as health, police, domestic violence services and education coming together to write a prevention program for their young people.

    The program is facilitated as a participatory, youth-inclusive education model that engages young people as knowledgeable, informed partners and potential leaders in the area of respectful relationships. In order to create sustainable change within areas such as domestic violence and sexual assault, the Love Bites approach challenges established attitudes, beliefs and stereotypes around issues such as domestic violence, sexual assault and gender roles.

  • Big Yellow Umbrella’s Youth worker frequently organises events during the school holidays to support and engage local young people within their community.

    Activities and events have included

    • Tie Dye workshops
    • Resume help
    • Therapeutic art sessions
    • Youth vs Police Oztag matches

To contact our Big Yellow Umbrella Youth Worker email youth.services@yellowumbrella.org.au

TESTIMONIALS

“My name is Christian Gillett I am a teacher at James Meehan High School and the supervisor of the love bites program at our school. I just want to pass on how impressed I am with Mackenzie and her fabulous presenting skills. Our students can be rather reserved and I very impressed in such a short time how she is encouraging them to participate in the program. I have been involved with love bites at another school and I really like how the program has progressed; in particular the inclusion of LGBTQI relationships. Many thanks”
Christian Gillett, James Meehan High School, Monday 18th November 2019

“During the Big Yellow Umbrella program I really enjoyed discussing pay equity and learning more about how to stand up for myself in the workplace, it taught me to be assertive and ask questions.  I learnt not to judge people by the way that they look and to try and talk to people about their differences. I learnt that it is ok to like the colour blue and to get involved in activities that are typically male dominated.  Having completed the program I now feel more confident to discuss inequities and speak up for myself.”
Taela Tarrant-Stevens, Picton High School, Year 9, 2019

“Big Yellow Umbrella has run many beneficial programs at Mount Annan High School, over the last few years. Mackenzie, who has delivered these programs, has catered for a diverse range of student needs. Breakfast Club, one of the popular programs, has helped the students start off their day with a full stomach, to help them focus for learning. The Girls Group is an excellent opportunity for female students to discuss modern issues of social media, mental health and self-esteem. The younger female’s value having Mackenzie as a positive role model in their life.  Love Bites has been a rewarding experience for students involved. They have discussed issues such as domestic violence, sexual assault and gender roles, educating them in understanding respectful interactions and becoming potential advocates in the area of positive relationships. Big Yellow Umbrella has also supported our school with more complex student issues, targeting high risk students. An extra support network for these students, has been extremely positive for them! “
Alana Coluccio, Learning and Support Teacher, Mount Annan High School, Thursday 6th February 2020