Fire Project ignites youth wellbeing in Cairns

Since opening earlier this year, the Cairns Youth Bikeshed program has provided a welcoming space for 12 - 24-year-olds to connect.

Thanks to a partnership with a local mentoring organisation, selectability has extended its reach to more young people across the region.

Hot off the heels of the successful Fresh Start Academy partnership comes the Fire project; a 12-month collaboration between selectability and Harbrow Mentoring.

The project aims to positively engage with the youth of Earlville and Edmonton, using the BikeShed for activities and mentoring sessions to reduce anti-social behaviour.  

General Manager for selectability Cairns, Gwion Cain said young people who were engaged and provided with opportunities to participate, experienced a better quality of life and contributed to creating and building better communities.

 “We know that youth who are disengaged from school and community activities are at a higher risk of involvement in anti-social or criminal activity.

“It’s all about reconnecting young people to each other and the community while diverting them away from unstructured and unsupportive environments.

 “Our project mentor, Shae, has been visiting visit popular youth hang-out spots, like shopping centres and parks to encourage young people to get involved in a range of free and fun activities and attend the BikeShed. 

 “In the last seven weeks alone the Fire project has engaged with close to 300 young people across the Cairns region.

“It’s great to see so many young people getting involved in the free sporting activities and enjoying free food week to week, promoting physical health and positive behaviour, with great results!”

The project runs activities after hours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, with an additional mentor based at the BikeShed to provide a link between services during weekdays.

The Fire project’s partnership with the youth BikeShed program is a stunning showcase of selectability's commitment to delivering programs to regional Queenslanders that promote mental wellbeing.

“In the long term, young people who are valued and feel connected have better health and mental health as adults.

“It is great to be working closely with Harbrow Mentoring in delivering this vital service across South Cairns!”

The Fire project is proudly funded by Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training – 6 June 2023 to 1 June 2024.