Creative Futures is an initiative of the NSW Government's Better Futures Strategy and is funded through the NSW Commission of Children and Young People to increase the effectiveness of services for vulnerable young people.
Creative Futures forms the Hunter arm of the Better Futures strategy, and is a response to the priorities set by the Cessnock Community to support young people in the transition from Primary to High School. Creative Futures aims to do this through building resilience in young people and families.
Creative Futures offers groupwork and individual support to young people in years 5 to 8 and their families, across the Cessnock Local Government area.
Programs and support we offer:
SOS ยป Strengths Opportunities Support
Challenges and obstacles are part of everyones' life experience. Resilience is the ability to cope with and overcome these hurdles in life.
Creative Futures conducts two-day school based resilience workshops (SOS) to increase young people's knowledge and awareness of healthy coping skills. SOS is a whole-of-population approach conducted within primary schools, covering all year 5 students in the Cessnock LGA in class size groups. The program enhances resilience in an engaging, interactive and enduring way. During SOS the students make giant shields to help them think and talk about the four aspects of resilience:
A positive view of an achievable future
An understanding and belief of personal and community strengths
Problem solving ability, and
Social support networks
Groups
Getting through the Tough Times (GTTT) and Being A Resourceful Teenager (BART) are intensive, 10 week, activity based groups that support children and young people to identify and develop healthy coping skills, to assist them to thrive through life's challenges.
The groups aim to help young people:
Increase their understanding that they can make changes which make a real difference in their lives
Bounce back from tough times
Have a positive and realistic view of their future
Be able to adjust well to the changes demanded of them by life circumstances
Develop their sense of humour
Be able to maintain healthy relationships
Individual
Creative Futures provides individual counselling and support for young people across years 5 to 8.
This is provided by Creative Futures team members, and other helping professionals who are engaged according to specific needs and issues.
As there are limited spaces available, priority is given to children and young people who have previously been involved in an intensive group with Creative Futures (GTTT or BART), as well as to referrals who fit the criteria for the groups, and who could benefit more from individual work rather than small group interaction.
Creative Futures aims to offer other support options for all young people referred to the program, who we are unable to provide service to.
