We are expanding our Child and Youth Counselling service, opening a new dedicated hub in Melbourne's west - a space that is focused on kids’ healing.
GenWest's Child and Youth Counselling is a specialist service supporting children who have experienced family violence.
Our Child and Youth Counselling team use child- and youth-focused therapeutic approaches to support children and young people who have experienced family violence. This approach includes creative arts therapy, music, play and sensory-based activities.
The team have a deep understanding of the impact of trauma on children and young people, and ensure they are seen as victim survivors in their own right, and not solely as an extension of their parent/carer.
Evaluation shows that after accessing the counselling service:
- 88% of children felt more optimistic about the future
- 79% of children gained confidence in their own ability
- 85% of carers felt more connected with their child
We asked kids what other children should know about counselling at GenWest, this is what they told us.
This vital program has been running for over a decade and has supported thousands of children, young people and their parents or carers.
Last year, we supported 286 children and young people. However, this service is experiencing unprecedented demand, and there is a long waitlist of nearly 100 families waiting for support.
We need to expand the program so we can support more children and reduce waiting times, but we need help to cover essential costs.
That's why we are opening up a new Child and Youth Counselling Hub, with more space to support more children and young people and reduce waiting times. We're creating a place for kids impacted by domestic and family violence to feel safe and a place focused on their needs and their healing.
We would love you to be part of this exciting next step and we need your help to make this space special - a place for kids impacted by domestic and family violence to feel safe and a place focused on their needs and their healing.
Donating to this project will have a direct impact on the lives of children and young people in Melbourne’s west who are experiencing family violence. Your donation will help us cover essential costs such as:
- Furnishing warm, inviting therapy rooms
- Stocking creative tools and therapeutic materials like art supplies and sensory tools
- Installing necessary technology for tele-counselling and record-keeping
- Supporting operational costs during the transition to setting up a new counselling practice
No contribution is too small; even the smallest gifts make a significant difference when combined with the generosity of others.
If there are other ways you can help or donate, email us at info@genwest.org.au.
