By Parker McKenzie
After months of being unable to run services, Tribe-Monbulk Youth Inc. is restarting their regular Friday night meetings.
Tribe-Monbulk Youth Inc. is an independent non-religious youth organisation aiming to create an inclusive space for teens and kids to meet and make friends.
Founder Belinda Grooby said interest in the youth group has been huge since the lockdown of metropolitan Melbourne ended in October and restrictions have continued to ease.
“We’ve had a lot of brand new enquiries,” Belinda said.
“When we came out of lockdown it exploded.”
Belinda founded the organisation in 2018 when she was concerned about the lack of opportunities for young teens to connect with each other outside school and sport.
Tribe-Monbulk Youth Inc. is a volunteer organisation and is funded through community partners and Yarra Ranges Council.
Belinda said the Covid-19 pandemic has created further challenges for children and young teens.
“At the height of the 2020 lockdown we surveyed 143 young people and most felt unprepared for the year ahead, with many feeling they had lost their voice,” she said.
“Kids had no way of getting away like essential workers did and we will see the impact of these lockdowns for years.”
The survey found that almost three quarters of respondents felt being in lockdown had a negative impact on their wellbeing, with 89 per cent feeling lonely and 87 per cent feeling they needed more support for their mental health and well-being.
Two youth groups run on a Friday night, one for children aged eight to 12 at 5.30pm until 6.30pm, and another for 13 to 18-year-olds from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
Belinda said they usually have around 50 people attend across the two groups but with the need for more support it could be more.
“For our young people it has been really difficult to get back and find those connections they’ve missed out on,” she said.
“Building those important social skills is going to be great for everyone involved.
“I don’t know who is more excited to be back, me or the kids.”
The meetings take place at Monbulk Living and Learning Centre at 21 Main Road, Monbulk with food provided for those attending.
