Hope Vale residents are helping shape a safer, stronger community, with strong engagement at this week's Yarn Up event highlighting growing interest in local leadership and early intervention.
The Hope Vale Justice Reinvestment team joined 20+ service providers at Pioneer Hall on 13–14 October, supporting residents to access services and information that can be difficult to come b ylocally.
The event attracted more than 125 community members across the two days. The Justice Reinvestment team recorded more than 35 community engagements, as residents shared their ideas, completed community surveys and learned about opportunities to get involved and lead solutions that prevent individuals and families from entering the justice system.
Justice Reinvestment's Simeon Gready said the response was encouraging, particularly the interest in building opportunities with the community.
"We had a really positive couple of days, with plenty of locals sharing their thoughts through our survey and asking about what's coming up," Simeon said. "There's been some great interest in the work we're developing, particularly the ideas which will give young people opportunities to spend time on Country and build confidence and resilience."
Hope Vale resident Irene Hammett shared one such idea – establishing a cooking school where local children could visit her farm, help grow vegetables and learn traditional cooking skills.
"We have a farm and a veggie garden and kitchen, and we could get boys and girls out once or twice a month to help in the garden and learn to make damper in the kitchen," Irene said.
"I show them how to do it once, and you'd be amazed at how quickly they pick it up. It keeps their minds busy and their bellies full, gets them off their screens and keeps them out of trouble."
For Irene, the idea is also about passing knowledge between generations and giving young people positive activities to be part of.
"It's important for our generation to pass on our knowledge to the younger generation. We haven't got long left to do that," she said.
Irene believes community members have plenty of ideas for local youth and families, but sometimes need support to organise activities and bring them to life.
Another important focus at the event was mediation, with specialist Michael Quinn, from QuinnEssentials, meeting residents interested in becoming trained local mediators.
Through a separately funded initiative that aligns with Justice Reinvestment's objectives, community members will have the opportunity to undertake accredited mediation training, with paid roles available over three years. After training and appointment, participants will receive ongoing mentoring, professional development and support to help resolve local disputes before they escalate to justice system contact.
"It was really encouraging to meet so many people who clearly care about their community and want to be part of making it stronger," Michael said.
"Having local people trained to help resolve disagreements is an important step. We're laying the foundations for mediation to happen within the community, where people understand the families, relationships and circumstances involved."
Building local mediation capability is one of seven workstreams being progressed through Hope Vale Justice Reinvestment. The community-led initiative focuses on preventing problems from escalating into the justice system by strengthening local leadership, supporting families and creating opportunities for positive change.
For Hope Vale Justice Reinvestment's Peter Gibson, events like Yarn Up are an important way to bring people together and build on the community's strengths.
"Events like this are really important for Hope Vale. They bring people and services together, and show that there's a lot of good work happening in our community," Peter said.
"You can feel that people want to get involved and make things better. I'd encourage any Hope Vale local who's interested to come and have a yarn with us. We need local people stepping up as leaders because it's through their ideas and involvement that we'll find solutions that make Hope Vale safer and stronger."
Hope Vale residents interested in getting involved can speak with Peter Gibson or Simeon Gready at the Justice Reinvestment office, 3 Muni Street, Hope Vale, or call 07 4083 8800.
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