from yaprap Novmber 2009
by Robyn Betland
Youth Worker
Loseby Park Youth Centre
Wingecarribee Adolescent Survival Program (WASP) was a closed group work program for young people aged between 14 and 18 years who were at risk of leaving school early or had already left school. WASP aimed to give young people an experience of difference and an opportunity to succeed.
WASP was initially a twelve month pilot project that ended up running for eighteen months. It was run in partnership between Highlands Youth and Family Services Inc Adolescent and Family Counsellor and Loseby Park Youth Centre. WASP was funded through existing DoCS CSGP funding and small grants received from the Matana Foundation, Lions Club, CDAT, Wingecarribee Shire Council Community Grants, CDSE and NAAH. Area Assistance Scheme funding has also been received to employ a worker to formally evaluate WASP.
WASP ran with two part-time workers. Participants were provided with group work activities, individual support, family support and after-care support. Referrals for WASP were received from many sources including the Department of Education, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Health and other NGOs.
Young people referred to the program were required to complete two interviews to assess their suitability to participate in the program - the first with the Adolescent and Family Counsellor with a parent or care-giver present and the second with the two youth workers who ran WASP.
A large number of young people were referred to WASP as they were experiencing mental illness and / or had been identified as having ‘anger management’ problems. A large number of the young people who participated in WASP were receiving support from one or more other local services for various things. Through their attendance at WASP their need for other services was reduced, freeing up time for the referring bodies to see more young people. It was also evident that the majority of the participants benefited from receiving support in a closed group rather than through a one on one service. Although not always identified in the initial interview phase, many of the young people were socially isolated for various reasons, and gained great confidence in being able to participate in a group.
In total 56 young people participated in the 8 WASP programs, with 60% of participants completing and graduating from the program.
WASP ran three days per week for eight weeks and involved indoor and outdoor activities. Participants participated in goal setting, anger management, AOD, risk taking, relationship, team building, communication, sexual health, art and cultural workshops, to name a few. Participants had an opportunity to canoe, abseil, rock climb and challenge themselves with other outdoor activities such as high ropes and the high swing. Each group also produced a DVD, covering topics like substance use, mental health, perceptions and risk taking.
Participants were requested to complete a DASS 21* questionnaire on commencement and completion of WASP. A large number reported reduced rates of depression, anxiety and stress after completing WASP.
Participants were also asked to complete a mid-way and final evaluation survey, which was used in the development of program content, WASP structure and final evaluations of each group.
In the final evaluation, participants were asked: What did you like most about WASP? Some responses:
- The things we learnt
- How everyone and mostly the workers were nice and understood us
- I achieved my goals and it helped
- Meeting new people
- Outdoor activities
- Getting along better with other people
- The fun and understanding the WASP workers gave me.
Graduation ceremonies were held for each group. Graduation was an opportunity for participants to be congratulated on work they had completed, and goals they had achieved by their peers, staff, family and friends. Participants were also presented with references and certificates at graduation.
On a number of occasions past participants have come back together at the youth centre for a catch-up. All young people wanting after-care support have received assistance with various things, mainly education, with a large percentage of participants enrolling at TAFE after completing WASP. Strong, positive and supportive friendships have been built between WASP participants from all groups. A number of partnerships have also been formed with other services to ensure participants receive the support they need post WASP.
Highlands Youth and Family Services Inc and Loseby Park Youth Centre are now in the process of evaluating WASP and researching funding possibilities to get WASP up and running again.
More information
- Highlands Youth & Family Services (02) 4861 7111
- Loseby Park Youth Centre (02) 4862 2052
*The DASS is a 42-item self report instrument designed to measure the three related negative emotional states of depression, anxiety and tension/stress. In addition to the basic 42-item questionnaire, a short version, the DASS21, is available with 7 items per scale. See www2.psy.unsw.edu.au/groups/dass