The past year at Freedom Centre has marked some big milestones and changes for Perth’s LGBTIQQ+ youth mental health service. So as we hang up our superhero masks and capes from the annual Pride Parade and start dreaming about mince pies and the beach, it’s a great time to reflect on the past year and what’s to come in the future.
From January through to April, Freedom Centre ran a series of art workshops which was named the ExSIGHT Art Project by our visitors. The workshops were facilitated by local artists Martin Wills and Peter Farmer, and provided an opportunity for young people to be mentored and improve their skills.
The project resulted in an exhibition which showcased the artwork of our visitors, as well as an amazing wall mural with the themes of space, land and sea. Since the workshops have finished, Freedom Centre has hosted a second exhibition during the Pride Festival at our annual Freedom Centre Open Day.
Freedom Centre held our second annual Epic Retreat at Ern Halliday Recreation Camp in July, as well as an additional two sleepovers in January and October.
At these events, young people participated in a wide range of different activities, such as karaoke, an ‘amazing race’, art, volleyball, a talent show and film-making.
During the Pride Festival, the Freedom Centre hosted our first ever panel, called Freedom & Pride in Parenting (a panel of LGBTIQ parents sharing their experiences), and celebrated the first birthday anniversary of ATSI QSpace, which is our monthly drop-in session for LGBTIQQ+ young people who are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
This year has been Dani Wright, the FC Coordinator’s first year representing WA on the National LGBTI Health Alliance Board which provided the opportunity to contribute to developing the Alliance’s priority areas and the MindOUT project.
While all that was happening, Freedom Centre also welcomed two new staff members this year! Through a Capacity Building Grant from the Mental Health Commission, extra staff time meant the new FC Peer Educator, Alexis Bartz was able to work three days a week on our online services, as well as help host drop-in sessions at the Centre. Freedom Centre has also recently welcomed another part-time staff member, Tony Bober, thanks to support from the WA AIDS Council. Tony and Alexis have brought SUPER skills and enthusiasm to the FC Team!
With all this and more happening throughout the past year at FC, we’re looking forward to all exciting events and initiatives to come in 2012! Stay safe in the silly season!
Alexis Bartz
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