LifeCycle Youth Connect (LCYC) – currently unfunded.
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LifeCycle Youth Connect (LCYC) operates mobile bicycle repair sessions for young people in targeted communities across the West Kimberley. It began delivering sessions in September 2018. LifeCycle employs three staff who work in partnership with relevant organisations to promote and facilitate fun sessions with children and young people where they can learn bike repair skills and engage with local services in a non confrontational way. LifeCycle has taken a flexible approach and formed partnerships with a range of organisations including WA Police, ALIVE & Kicking Goals!, Broome Youth & Family Hub, Derby Youth Centre and Aboriginal community schools and councils.
The LifeCycle Youth Connect program aims to address the over representation of Aboriginal youth across the Kimberley in contact with police, disengagement from school and the over representation of youth in juvenile justice facilities and with mental health issues including suicide.
The program aims to reduce criminal activity of youth, school disengagement and drug and alcohol use across target communities through:
- supporting skill development of young people including problem solving, group work, communication and bicycle mechanics
- increasing young people’s awareness of the availability of support and resources to assist them with; social and emotional wellbeing, suicide prevention, drug and alcohol, health, grief and loss and victimisation
- enhancing relationships with Youth Workers, Police, Health Services, Drug and Alcohol Staff, Education, Department of Justice Staff, Social and Emotional Wellbeing Staff and Suicide Prevention Services
- increasing young people’s self esteem
- increasing health outcomes through promotion of physical activity (bike riding)
Program model
- Three towns; Derby, Broome and Fitzroy Crossing and six communities to be visited on a 3 – 4 week rotation
- Encourage participants in each community to attend for the duration of the program
- Three staff with bicycle mechanic skills engaging with youth in learning bike skills in a safe space and facilitating key conversations
- Engage visiting stakeholders to support educational and social & emotional wellbeing conversations
Program review
An external review of the program was conducted in 2019.