On the right wavelength

Sydney
26 January

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On the right wavelength

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On the right wavelength

By Chris Lindsay

An ordinary house in Petersham is the base for a group of young people who make radio programs for youth and provide accommodation and support for young men suffering from alcohol, drugs or gambling problems - all supported by Vinnies.

And they say it is the 'friendly' feel of the house that helps these projects be so effective.

Colin Hughes, youth case worker for Rendu Youth Services, and Danielle Archer, program director for Radio Out There, agree that one factor in the success of the work they do is the informal atmosphere of the house from which they work.

"There are no people in suits here, there is no receptionist or waiting area," says Danielle. "There are just friendly people around who are here to help.

"The people who come here feel at home.

"We do our interviews and assessments here, and the clients can come in and use the internet to search for jobs," says Colin. "Transport can be arranged, but we encourage people to budget for the fares from the income they have. It helps them get their life organised."

Radio Out There produces and pre-records programs based on issues for young people for 26 community radio stations throughout rural and regional Australia.

"They deal with issues such as drugs and alcohol, but also with issues relevant to young people in transition, such as those who have just left home," says Danielle.

"We have people on the program who give them such information as how to get a driver's licence, how to buy a car, what to do if they have an accident, how to get a job.

"We try to give our listeners independent life skills.

"We also have people in who are doing interesting jobs. We ask them how they got the job, what skills they needed, what the best and worst aspects of the job are.

"We also tell unemployed kids how to volunteer for work with such organisations as Amnesty International. It gives them something current on their résumé, gets them some work skills, and gets their foot in the door.

"They learn the rights and responsibilities of the workplace. It all helps."

Danielle says the Radio Out There staff and volunteers try to keep the programs relatively light-hearted, even with the serious stuff.

"Young people don't want an authoritarian approach, they don't want to be talked down to," says Danielle. "We want the programs to be vibrant and interesting.

"We try to provide a voice for young people, who are under-represented in the mainstream media. A lot of them feel they have limited choices or feel isolated.

"Although we cover the negative stuff, we also try to report on positive stuff, on the good things that happen, such as the group of young people who recently set up a theatre group and made a success of it."

Danielle started work in community radio eight years ago with 2RRR and was a volunteer at Radio Out There from 1995 to 1997.

She did a BA in communication, majoring in journalism. Now she and project officer Evan Peet prepare the programs.

Rendu Youth Services runs two houses as accommodation centres for young men with drug, alcohol and gambling addiction problems.

Ozanam House at Pyrmont provides accommodation for eight men; Guest Haven, at Croydon, houses five. As well there are two two-bedroom flats at Ashfield which are "exit housing" for men who are just about ready to step out into the community.

"We encourage them to find work or get enrolled in a course that will give them skills," says Colin, who gained a certificate in drug and alcohol support work and began with Rendu as a volunteer caretaker in one of the houses before applying for his current position.

"At any time up to 16 men are being helped by Rendu Youth Services. We also do outreach for ex-residents who still need some support."

The service is supported by the Sydney archdiocesan council of St Vincent de Paul Society, with some assistance from the Department of Community Services.

"We are generally dealing with disadvantaged and marginalised young people," Colin says. "We have had good results so we have a lot of contacts. Even ex-clients refer people to us."

Programs or activities are held one night a week at the homes.