The Richmond Youth Hub (RYH) was developed in partnership with the young residents of the North Richmond public housing estate, and Department of Families Fairness and Housing, who currently fund the project. RYH was conceived in response to pervasive public safety issues which limited young people’s access to safe public space, leaving them isolated and lacking peer support. The intent of RYH was to strengthen the social support available to young people by establishing a youth-friendly facility on the estate grounds which could serve as both a local hang out and a base for attracting much needed services through the offer of co-location. This project was authentically youth-led from its inception, having been initiated by a formal petition which young people presented to Council, and carried through to a youth co-design process where young residents were invited to work with the architects to design a space that would satisfy their needs. Most importantly, a youth-led culture has bloomed out of these initial involvements which puts young people’s voices at the centre of the day-to-day decision making which directs the delivery of programs and services.
Since it opened in 2021, young people have taken ownership of RYH, transforming it into a vibrant extension of their living rooms, a shared space where they can come together on their own terms to have fun, build friendships and support one another. This sense of close-knit community extends to the co-located service providers who are included in the rhythms and rituals of daily life at RYH, resulting in an organically integrated wraparound service which is responsive to the emergent needs of young people. As a result, the young people who attend RYH are immersed in a positive experience of community, which builds them up and supports them to dream bigger, taking positive risks and pursuing aspirations which might otherwise not have seemed possible.
Adrian Lucas-Healey
Evaluation and Research Officer, Yarra City Council
Adrian’s work with children, young people and families spans the fields of education, youth work, community development, social planning and research. Throughout this career, Adrian has developed a voice-centred relational practice which empowers children and young people by working collaboratively to ensure that their lived experience influences the decisions that guide the policies and service practices which affect them.
Zac Lovett
Team Leader – Richmond Youth Hub
Zac, a proud Gundjitmara man who boasts a remarkable background in youth engagement and community development enriched by his diverse experiences in music production, carpentry, and leadership in youth hubs. Zac has proven experience support young people in family violence prevention and cultural healing, coupled with his passion for empowering youth, makes him a strong advocate for young people in the community.
