Young Voices Helping Shape Local Services

Time to read:

1–2 minutes

Young people play an important role in shaping the future of their communities, and recently two members of the headspace Grafton Youth Reference Group (YRG) had the opportunity to do just that.

The YRG members attended the Healthy North Coast (HNC) Needs Assessment Workshop in Grafton, joining other young people to share their experiences and perspectives on the health and wellbeing needs of local communities.

The workshop provided a valuable platform for participants to identify priorities, discuss challenges, and contribute ideas that will help inform the planning and delivery of future health and wellbeing services across the region. By participating in these conversations, our YRG representatives ensured that the voices of local young people were heard and considered in discussions about the future of community services.

Youth input is essential in developing services that are relevant, accessible, and responsive to the needs of the people who use them. Through their involvement, these young leaders helped highlight the issues that matter most to their peers and contributed to creating positive change within the community.

We are incredibly proud of our YRG members for representing the views of local young people, advocating for their peers, and helping shape a healthier future for our region. Their engagement demonstrates the value of youth participation and the impact young voices can have on decision-making and service development.

Thank you to Healthy North Coast for providing an opportunity for young people to contribute to this important work. Together, we can continue building stronger, healthier communities for all

headspace Grafton is delivered locally by Health Voyage and is part of the national headspace network. headspace Grafton is funded by Healthy North Coast through the North Coast PHN Program.

Date posted:

August 13, 2026

Last modified:

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Acknowledgement of Lived Experience

At Health Voyage, we acknowledge and honour the many people with lived and living experience who have shaped our work through their courage, insight, and commitment. We recognise the unique value of people with lived experience of mental health and physical health challenges, distress, trauma, and recovery. Their voices and leadership are vital to the design, delivery, and evaluation of our services.

We are committed to embedding lived experience as a core driver of our service culture, supporting systems transformation, inclusive practice, and recovery-oriented care. This commitment extends to people from all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTQIA+ communities, people with disability, and those impacted by multiple forms of marginalisation.

We pay respect to the deep, ongoing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country, culture, and community, and we strive to be a culturally safe and inclusive organisation where all people feel respected, valued, and empowered.

This acknowledgement stands on the foundations built by those who have come before us and is designed to evolve in partnership with people with lived experience, now and into the future.

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