Youth services

Samaritans Adolescent and Family counsellors can assist young people aged 11 - 21 years and their families.

Samaritans supports families in need of counselling services. We provide safe, confidential and friendly family counselling in the Lower Hunter.

This Adolescent and Family Counselling Service provides a safe, confidential and friendly space for young people aged 11 – 21 years and their families to talk through tough times.

There are various ways that the Adolescent and Family Counsellor may help you and your family work through difficult times. These include:

• Individual counselling
• Family Therapy
• Relationship Counselling
• Offering advice and information
• Advocating for the young person and their family
• Life skills development
• Parenting support programs
• Connecting families with other specialists

headspace Cessnock, NSW.

You can apply if you:

Are aged 16-24 years old

Don't have your own place to live (you might be sleeping on a couch at a friend's place, in a shelter or boarding house or at risk of homelessness

Are an Australian Citizen or Australian permanent resident

Are motivated to work or complete study or training to help obtain a job

Are on a low income or studying

The program helps young people aged 16-24 years to:

Find a place to live (in a private rental unit, flat or home)

Get approved for a lease

Pay the rent for up to three years

Stay in a current rental if it's affordable and help if needed to pay the rent

Young people aged 12-25.

Headspace provides mental, physical and sexual wellbeing support, information and services to young people and their families.

Maitland and the Hunter region, NSW.

Young people aged 12-25.

headspace provides mental, physical and sexual wellbeing support, information and services to young people and their families.

Cessnock and the Hunter region, NSW.

Samaritans Reconnect can assist young people aged 12 – 18 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness , and young people aged between 12 – 21 who have recently immigrated to Australia.

Reconnect services provides a range of supports to young people aged 12 - 18 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and who want some assistance with their family relationships. We assist with things like:

• Counselling
• Improving relationships
• Mediation
• Goal setting
• Connecting with education/work.

Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Maitland and Port Stephens, NSW.

Young people aged 12-25 years that have complex-severe mental health concerns.

Psychological interventions to improve mental health presentation and symptoms, 3-6 months of support and intervention and any required referrals.

Muswellbrook, Upper Hunter, Liverpool Plains, Cessnock, Singleton, Dungog and Mid-Coast local government areas, NSW.

Samaritans HYAP and FOCAS programs can assist young people who:

• Are aged 12 - 15 years
• Are at risk of homelessness
• Have been affected by COVID-19.

Support services must apply for brokerage on behalf of a young person at risk.

Samaritans HYAP and FOCAS programs can provide the following services:

• Brokerage assistance to support young people who are at risk of homelessness.
• Brokerage assistance to support young people and their families who have been affected by COVID-19.
• Family Mediation and Counselling.

Hunter New England Health District, NSW.

The program is aimed at young people who:

• Are aged 16 - 25
• Are engaged in study
• Need a place to stay
• Are happy to be linked in with ongoing support, and
• Can live positively in a community environment

Samaritans Student Accommodation is for young people aged 16-25, who need accommodation in order to continue goals around education and training. This accommodation is for up to 2 years, and young people are engaged with a support provider for the duration of the tenancy. This accommodation is not crisis accommodation, and is suited for young people with developed independent living skills. Essentially, Samaritans Student Accommodation is a place to live and learn.

The service is based at Wickham in Newcastle, New South Wales.

The Youth AOD counselling program is a free service to support young people who:

• Are aged 12-25 seeking support to address their drug and/or alcohol use.
• Live in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Cessnock, Maitland or Dungog.

The Youth AOD Counsellor offers support:

• Through individual counselling sessions (up to 10 sessions)
• Harm reduction strategies
• Relapse management techniques
• Coping skills training
• Behaviour changing interventions
• Establishment of healthier lifestyles
• Family therapy and supports

Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Maitland, Dungog and Cessnock, NSW.

Samaritans Youth Engagement Officers support:

• Young people 12-17 years who would like to positively engage with school, their family and community
• Young people transitioning to high school, focusing on early identification and collaboration with schools and families (8-12 years)
• Aboriginal children, young people, families and communities
• Young parents (under 18 years)

Our Youth Engagement Officers can help with the following areas:

• Improving family relationships
• Mediation
• Life Challenges
• Group programs
• Identifying strengths and goals
• Connecting with education/work
• Building friendships and social support

Newcastle, Maitland and Dungog, NSW.

Samaritans Early Intervention Youth Counselling Service provides free mental health and wellbeing support for young people aged 12 - 25 in Kempsey and surrounding areas.

We can help if you are:

• Feeling down or stressed
• Experiencing problems with family or friends
• Struggling at school or work
• Just not feeling yourself, or if you have noticed changes in your thoughts, feelings or behaviour.

Kempsey, NSW.