Health & Wellbeing Health & Wellbeing New Hub to support youth The Avalon Youth Hub – a go-to service for young people and their carers in need of support for a range of concerns – has entered its first full month of operation with strong community backing. At its recent emotional launch event, hundreds joined those involved in getting the project off the ground and up and running in response to an alarming rise in youth suicide and mental health issues in the <strong>Pittwater</strong> area. The overarching aim of the hub is to engage and strengthen the community by providing a space staffed by professionally trained workers where young people (12-24) and their carers can be connected to health and support services in our area. Those instrumental in establishing the Hub include Justene Gordon, CEO of The Burdekin Association and Ian Bowsher, Principal of Barrenjoey High School, who connected at a meeting a little over a year ago. “The Avalon Youth Hub is here because Ian asked that something be done,” Justene said. Mr Bowsher has now been appointed Patron of the Avalon Youth Hub, in recognition of his role in establishing a permanent youth service in the <strong>Pittwater</strong> area. He said the launch of the youth hub on the 18th of May was a special day for all. “I think our voices will now finally be heard and I think our kids’ voices will permanently be heard, which is really important PATRON: Ian Bowsher. to me, and to you,” Mr Bowsher said. “As a principal of a school where one in four – 25% of students – are suffering in one way or another throughout their times in high school and in primary school, where youth ill health and homelessness is on the rise, alcohol issues are on the rise… there are a list of concerns that we have. “I dream this Hub becomes a place where people are willingly prepared to talk about these issues rather than them being dealt with in the shadows. “I think the concern we have when someone is having ill health, and not knowing where to send them, can be undone by this particular project.” Mr Bowsher paid tribute to all who made the hub possible – including community, health and education representatives and local, state and federal leaders – who have come together with one objective. “That’s a rare thing to get all those people in the same room to contribute their time and their energy towards one end. “I applaud all of those people for their contribution… I think that, in the long run, we’ll be able to normalise the conversation around ill health for our young people so, I thank you.” The Avalon Youth Hub is based at the early Childhood Centre in the Recreation Centre and currently open three afternoons a week; there are hopes it will operate every day of the week and possibly weekends. Extensive community consultation will be conducted to ensure the hub is responsive to the needs of the community. Service providers are also able to book consulting space at the Hub to offer onsite support to clients – indeed this will be the first time many of these services have been able to offer a point of contact in <strong>Pittwater</strong>. Groups include Mission Australia, Community Care Northern Beaches (CCNB), The Burdekin Association, Catholic Care – Drugs and Alcohol support and Family Referral Service and Streetwork. (Special mention to <strong>Pittwater</strong> ward councillor Kylie Ferguson who lobbied for Council funds to help support the service.) Avalon Youth Hub is open 12-5pm Mondays, and 3-5pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact: 0487 936 875 or email help@avalonyouthhub.org.au or facebook. * Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 * <strong>Life</strong>line 13 11 14 – Lisa Offord Natural Approach Good gut bacteria can help to boost and maintain our immunity, with 70% of our immune function coming from our gut. Secretory IgA is a type of antibody which acts as our first-line defence against gut By Debbie Milsom pathogens like bacteria, food proteins, parasites, fungi, toxins and viruses. It is closely linked to the gut microbiota. If there is an imbalance of gut bacteria, Secretory IgA levels will be altered. Gut health is negatively affected by stress, illness, poor diet, antibiotics and other medications, plus environmental toxins such as pesticides. These elements may lead to leaky gut allowing pathogens to pass easily into the blood system. Poor gut health is linked to chronic disease, allergies and lowered immunity. What can you do? n Protect, heal and seal the gut wall. Nutrition Cares Gut Relief mix contains glutamine, slippery elm, curcumin and aloe vera to soothe, heal, seal and repair the gut wall barrier. n Probiotics, in particular Lactobacillus plantarum and lactobacillus paracasei species, have been found to boost immune function and can be found in Healthy Essentials Probiotic 10 65+ billion. n Eat fermented foods, such as kombucha, kimchi and tempeh. n Eat foods rich in prebiotics, including organic leafy vegetables, garlic, onions, asparagus, artichoke, porridge oats and legumes and bananas. If you feel that your immunity is low and it needs a boost, come and speak with our qualified Naturopaths for the best free advice on all of your health needs. * Debbie is a qualified Naturopath at Flannerys, Mona Vale 50 JUNE <strong>2018</strong> The Local Voice Since 1991
Health & Wellbeing The Local Voice Since 1991 JUNE <strong>2018</strong> 51
Change language