Inside look at 24/7 youth centre reveals capacity for 60 kids

AN inside look at the trial 24/7 youth centre in Alice Springs reveals key details about its operation writes DANIEL WOOD

Kids have access to beanbags, couches and video game consoles at the youth centre. Picture: Daniel Wood

THE new Alice Springs Youth Centre can accommodate up to 60 children at a time, with a bus taking them home between 7pm and 3am in a bid to keep them off the streets.

THE new Alice Springs Youth Centre can accommodate up to 60 children at a time, with a bus taking them home between 7pm and 3am in a bid to keep them off the streets.

Territory Families Community Youth Programs director Soana Vaihu said seven or eight staff were rostered on during any one shift.

The staff use a technique called “assertive engagement” to encourage kids to return home.

The centre, which is currently operating on Saturdays and Sundays, is not a boarding facility and kids are discouraged from sleeping there, although Ms Vaihu said no child would ever be forced to attend or leave the centre.

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Staff kick off organised events at 6pm with physical activities.

“For example, this could be boxercise, table tennis or three-on-three basketball,” Ms Vaihu said. “We are looking at taking them down to Anzac Oval to do activities there, too.

“Physical activities will normally wrap up around 7.30pm when dinner will be served for those kids who want to eat.

“And then from 9pm is your downtime activity. So it would be things like games or movie marathons.”

Ms Vaihu said the community response had so far been fantastic.

After only one weekend of the trial, three locals have put their hands up to volunteer at the centre. One offered to host music lessons, another to teach art, and the third offered his time simply “to give the staff a break”.

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The drop-in centre is for any child aged between 10 and 17. The centre will begin operating 24/7 for a trial period from December 17.