Twenty10 named state’s best youth service

LGBTQI youth group Twenty10 was officially recognised last week for its innovative work by being named the NSW Youth Service of the Year.

The award was announced during the Youth Action Youth Awards in Sydney and recognised the assistance Twenty10 has provided to “young people of diverse genders, sexes and sexualities, their families, friends and communities”.

Since being formed 30 years ago in Darlinghurst, Twenty10 has grown and responded to the changing needs of at-risk LGBTQI young people over the years, seeing it first move to a Newtown base before recently transferring to a larger facility at Chippendale.

Youth Action Director Emily Jones said Twenty10 had actively stepped out into communities to create change for the better for young people and their families.

“There are so many youth services doing amazing work in NSW today, so for Twenty10 to take out the inaugural NSW Youth Service of the Year award is a great credit to them,” she said.

“Twenty10 has experienced significant growth in services and opportunities for young people over the last two years. Their new services including Primary Health Care services and Complimentary Therapies, individual and group counselling services, an education space for the training of community partners and service providers, and art spaces to provide art therapy as a regular part of groups and drop-in program.

“These all demonstrate the holistic approach to supporting clients that has enabled the organisation to go from strength to strength.”

Twenty10’s managing director, Rebecca Reynolds, who earlier this month indicated she will retire from the role held since 2008, said the award was a “tremendous honour”.

“We have really worked hard to make sure we are constantly innovating and improving. We aim to ensure that young people are key partners in determining health and education topics that are run through our groups and activities program,” she said.

“This involvement has seen the development of three unique videos, several plays, an annual art exhibition, choreographed dance routines for Mardi Gras celebrations, a Queer Prom and many other practical skills building activities.

“Regular activities at Twenty10 today include an over 20s Monthly Dinner as well as Saturday and Western Sydney groups, all which give young people a chance to build friendships, have fun, and negotiate relationships that can be taken into the world outside of the organisation.”