Some of Dubbo’s most disadvantaged youth will benefit from greater wrap-around support, thanks to the NSW Government’s Children and Young People Wellbeing Recovery Initiative.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has today announced $10,000 for LeaderLife to hire a holistic therapist to join the team at Apollo House.
“LeaderLife does amazing work with young people, but the reality is a lot of these children come from very complex backgrounds and they can face a lot of barriers to fulfilling their potential,” Mr Saunders said.
“This new therapist will be able to meet these young people where they’re at; rather than doing therapy in the typical clinical setting, they’ll work alongside the young people on LeaderLife’s lime farm, whilst making their signature lime cordial, fishing along the river, doing art or at the gym.
“It doesn’t matter where therapy happens, just as long as our youth feel safe.”
LeaderLife founder and CEO Joh Leader was hopeful their new holistic therapist could start as soon as next week.
“This approach means our kids will feel comfortable talking through some of their tough stuff,” Mrs Leader said.
“We need to teach our kids how to manage big, ugly feelings and how to self-regulate in heated moments rather than resort to violence and aggression.”