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The Podcast connecting young people in Melbourne’s west

Announcement posted by Mia Ferreira PR 28 Jun 2021

Collective West recognised with $10K funding ahead of first anniversary

Collective West, a podcast for young people in Melbourne’s west, is celebrating its one-year anniversary with a special #MelbsWest Youth Leadership series, featuring ten interviews with local inspiring leaders from youth focussed organisations to help showcase the range of opportunities and support available in the area. The new series is being supported and funded by the Victorian State Government and the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, with the first episode kicking off at 6:00pm Sunday 27 June 2021 and new episodes every fortnight.

 

Created and hosted by social enterprise manager Michael Lim, and entrepreneur and creative director Julia Truong, the Collective West podcast started in response to Victoria’s second lockdown, as a way to help young people in Melbourne's west stay connected and thrive through adversity. The first 20 episodes have covered topics such as goal setting, habits, networking, job interview skills, public speaking, stress management, equality and more.

 

“Melbourne's west was the hardest hit by COVID-19. Wyndham City Council had the highest infection rates in the country at the peak of the second Victorian lockdown, with my local Brimbank City Council not far behind. But even prior to the pandemic, the region already had deep and persistent disadvantages related to health, employment and education. We wanted to start conversations to help change the narrative for young people in Melbourne’s west!” Michael explained.

 

“We both grew up as children of migrant parents living in Melbourne's west and understand first-hand the challenges young people from this area have to navigate. We have both been very fortunate to receive a range of mentoring and leadership opportunities in our teenage years, and have gone on to build successful careers as a result. As positive role models in our community, we wanted to create a platform for young people by young people, and help break down that cycle of disadvantage, “ Julia said.

 

Findings from the Young people coping with coronavirus: interim report from the Burnet Institute and VicHealth, shows young people have been significantly impacted by COVID_19. At the height of the pandemic, 16% had lost work and 30% had a decrease in their hours, 47% were exercising less and 27% were consuming more alcohol. Using the DASS-21 scale, the report also found 29% experienced severe or extremely severe symptoms of depression, 27% experience anxiety and 18% stress.

 

“We’re excited and honoured to be recognised for our work so far. We’ve been operating the podcast out of our own pockets, so this $10K state government funding will allow us to continue supporting young people in Melbourne’s west as we all find our way through the new COVID-normal over the coming months,” Michael added.

 

Confirmed guests on the #MelbsWest Youth Leadership podcast series include:

-        Lachlann Carter, co-founder of 100 Story Building - an organisation fostering imagination, creativity and confidence in children and young people and supporting young writers in Footscray,

-        Jeffrey Lai, Managing Director and Founder of Equal Ed - a social enterprise providing tailored academic and personal development support to young people,

-        and Gail Bray – Director of Wyndham Tech School, which partners with schools in Wyndham and Hobsons Bay to connect students with futuristic technologies and training and prepare them for jobs of the future.  

 

To listen, subscribe and find out more about the Collective West podcast visit: www.collectivewest.com.au

 

ENDS


Download images HERE.

 

For interviews with Michael and Julia, or more information about Collective West please contact:

Mia Ferreira – PR & Social Manager: 0411 053 369

Email: collectivewestpodcast@gmail.com