Holyoake launches first of its kind Very Young People’s Program
Holyoake will trial a unique Very Young Peoples Program that offers a comprehensive support system for young people aged 8 – 13 years dealing with their own alcohol or drug use. The program will also support the young people’s families or caregivers.
Currently, there is no specialised support for children aged 8-13 years who are using alcohol or drugs in Western Australia. The Very Young People’s Program (VYPP) is an innovative approach to fill this critical gap.
Co-funded by the Channel 7 Telethon Trust and the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, the pilot will be delivered through in location sessions at Holyoake’s Victoria Park site and via telehealth.
AOD use for 8 – 13 year olds is a new and emerging issue in Western Australia with limited evidence to support long term program support. VYPP has been designed as a pilot to test a model of care built upon evidence and learnings from national AOD youth services.
The free of charge program will arm young people and their support networks with the tools and strategies needed for lasting positive change and will feature:
- Individualised Support: Tailored sessions for the young person with flexible delivery options.
- Support Network Engagement: Separate clinicians for the young person and the parent or caregiver to enhance feelings of confidentiality and safety, communication, emotional regulation, and parenting skills that foster a supportive home environment.
- Holistic Interventions: Focus areas include building motivation to change, coping with cravings, engagement in pro-social activities and building healthy relationships.
- Community Integration: Leveraging partnerships across Perth to provide seamless access to additional services and supports.
Officially launched today, Holyoake Interim CEO, Ben Smith was joined by key delegates including Grants and Beneficiaries Manager of the Channel 7 Telethon Trust, Nicole Philippson, and Executive Chair of the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, Elizabeth Perron AM.
Ben said “Very young people’s use of alcohol and other drugs is an area of concern we can’t ignore; we now have an opportunity to support these very young people and build an evidence base that will ensure young people, and their carers, are not left behind. We are extremely grateful to the Channel 7 Telethon Trust and the Stan Perron Charitable foundation for their acknowledgement of this community risk and their support.”
Join us in creating a resilient and supportive community for our youth.
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At Holyoake, we give people impacted by alcohol, drugs and mental ill health the support, hope and confidence they need to live the life they choose. By listening. By offering free counselling, peer-support, and community programs across WA. By being here whenever they’re ready.
About the empowering, open-door Holyoake Approach:
We have what we call a family-systems approach. It’s non-judgemental and free to access at any point. And crucially, it is evidence-based, working on the proven principle that when we address AOD (alcohol and other drugs) or mental health challenges holistically – when we come together as individuals and families, specialists, and practitioners – we achieve better, life-changing outcomes.
2pm AWST: Tuesday 11 March 2025