Young people at Hope Street participate in a range of free workshops and activities that help them to connect with their community, gain confidence and learn living skills.
2017
18 March 2017: Melton Craft Mural
As part of Hope Street's contributions to the April 2017 edition of Parity, "Giving Voice: Young People Experiencing and Responding to Homelessness", the Melton Craft Mural was created during a number of activities in Melton and other Hope Street sites on 18 March 2017.
Young people were invited to come and share their thoughts and feelings on the meaning of HOPE through art. Hope Street in Melton supports young people to move towards living independently and therefore move out of the homelessness sector. To assist with the development of interdependence with young people and provide a positive journey, Hope Street provides a safe place for them to show their emotions. It is hard at times for young people to express themselves through words therefore it is important to provide young people with innovative ways to tell others what they think and how they feel. The young people found it very rewarding working as a team and they had a lot of fun using colour while painting the large mural. The young people then had the opportunity to share their reflections on what HOPE means to them.
2015
22 April 2015: Mandala Workshops
At Hope Street, Mandala Workshops are presented as a non-religious, therapeutic and creative tool in which young people are invited to participate and express themselves through the colouring in of Mandalas. The workshops have become an integral part of building relationships in the supported crisis accommodation program (youth refuge) and have provided an opportunity for young people to engage with staff and each other in a supportive and creative environment. Young people can attribute their own meanings and life stories into the creation of their Mandalas. Evening Mandala sessions have been very successful in creating a soothing and relaxing environment in which young people 'can let go of their stresses' and involve themselves in a 'feel good activity' that has been therapeutically proven to enhance well-being. The Mandalas, along with a hot drink, enable a young person to engage in conversation without having direct eye contact and support young people in reaching a relaxed state before bedtime.
Full Story: Mandala Creations: Hope Street’s Therapeutic Circle
08 April 2015: I Would Walk: 1000 Steps Challenge
This was a great exercise that resulted in a lot of smiles, laughter and opened up a lot of conversation and self-reflection.
Hollie says:It was hard work, I didn't think I would make it, but so glad I did!