Innovative partnership gives boys and young men in the Coffs Harbour community the tools to lead healthy and safe lives.
In a significant new collaboration, Top Blokes Foundation, a leading youth mental health charity working with boys and young men, is pleased to announce its partnership with Blue Sky Community Services in Coffs Harbour. This marks a strategic alliance to deliver mentoring programs aimed at supporting young males in regional communities.
Supported through a grant from NSW Department of Education, this innovative pilot project will extend the reach of the Top Blokes mentoring programs, which are already making a significant impact across 109 schools in NSW alone. The pilot is set to launch in Coffs Harbour in 2024 with the hope of scaling successful strategies to other regions in the future, enhancing the wellbeing and resilience of young males in diverse communities.
Ruth Thompson, CEO at Blue Sky Community Services, shared her enthusiasm about the new partnership:
“We are excited to collaborate with Top Blokes to bring their impactful programs directly into our local area. Coupled with our knowledge of the needs of our community and the expertise Top Blokes has, working with almost 20,000 young males, this is a partnership that will see the Coffs Harbour community benefit from access to role models and additional mental health support.”
Amy Harvison, Head of Programs and Operations at Top Blokes added:
“We want to deepen our impact in local communities and provide crucial skills to all young males – regardless of background or location. Regional and rural communities deserve to have access to mental health and wellbeing programs that prepare young males to face life’s challenges with an unwavering belief in themselves and a sense of belonging.”
The majority of mental health conditions arise before the age of 25 and the rate of male suicide in Australia is alarming; 3 out of 4 suicides are male. Top Blokes is working hard to reshape the future of masculinities through its long-term early intervention and prevention mentoring programs for 10-24 year olds. This new partnership between Top Blokes and Blue Sky will provide young males in Coffs Harbour males with the essential tools they need to be challenged and nurtured towards becoming their best selves.
ABOUT BLUE SKY COMMUNITY SERVICES:
Blue Sky Community Services is a not-for-profit organisation based in the NSW Mid North Coast. Blue Sky’s vision is to support people to thrive and create communities where everyone belongs. We work towards this vision through delivering a range of services that support young people, children, families, people with disability and community services organisations.
To find out more visit: www.bluesky.org.au
