Resources for Young People

NSW Education

NSW Education has information on school terms and holidays, parental support, school community resources and schooling initiatives.

Small Fish, Big Pond - Transition from Primary School to High School

In September and October each year, Lane Cove Council collaborates with Headspace Chatswood and KYDS Youth Development Service to deliver Small Fish, Big Pond - an informative webinar series for parents about the transition from primary school to high school. If you missed this year's webinars and would like information about the transition from primary school to high school, check out our Small Fish, Big Pond Resource Pack. This pack includes information about:

• preparing for high school including enrolment, what to expect, and how to support young people to make the transition. 
• how to access targeted supports from the Department of Education including Aboriginal education supports, disability supports, and translated fact sheets.
• year 7 course content. 
• wellbeing supports including school supports, local counselling services, mental health support lines, apps, and online resources. 
• bullying. 
• local youth centres.  

Schools in the Lane Cove Local Government Area: 

Primary Schools:

• Currambena Primary School (independent co-education). 
  Click here to visit the school's website. 
• Greenwich Public School (public co-education).
  Click here to visit the school's website.
• Lane Cove Public School (public co-education). 
  Click here to visit the school's website. 
• Lane Cove West Public School (public co-education). 
  Click here to visit the school's website. 
• Mowbray Public School (public co-education). 
  Click here to visit the school's website. 
• St Michael's Catholic Primary School (private co-education). 
  Click here to visit the school's website. 

Combined Primary and Secondary School: 

• St Ignatius College Riverview (private boys). 
  Click here to visit the school's website. 

Library Resources

The Lane Cove Library has a number of great resources for HSC students. Visit the Lane Cove Library HSC Resources page to find out more about what they have on offer. 

Parks and Recreation 

There are plenty of great open spaces and sports facilities for young people in Lane Cove. Visit our Parks and Recreation page to find out about all things sport and recreation, including information about: 

• The Lane Cove Aquatic and Leisure Centre 
• Greenwich Baths
• Parks, Reserves and Playgrounds 
• Sports Grounds 
• Boating 

Synergy Youth Centre

Synergy Youth Centre is a free drop-in space open to young people aged 11 - 17 during the school term and 10 - 16 during the school holidays. 

The half basketball court, ping pong table, pool table and kitchenette are available to use with supervision from our youth workers who are onsite to provide support.

The Canopy

With year-round events, open spaces, and shopping, The Canopy has a lot to offer for young people in Lane Cove. Visit The Canopy website for information about upcoming events. 

Community Directory

The Community Directory is a great place to start when looking for information about services in and around Lane Cove. The Community Directory has information about youth services, children and family services, LGBTQIA+ groups and services, volunteering, arts, crafts and hobbies and more. 

Lane Cove Children's Services Directory

The Lane Cove Children's Services Directory is a document compiled by Lane Cove Council with information about children and youth support services, day-care centres, out of school hours care, playgroups, and schools. 

Ask Izzy 

Ask Izzy provides location-based information about where to go if you need support with: 

• food
• housing
• money help
• support and counselling
• everyday needs
• health advice and advocacy
• work and learning

NSW Health – Youth Health Resources

Youth health resources and contacts for young people can be found on the NSW Health website with links for health services, information and other support including GPs, hospitals, mental health, substance use, sexual health, disability and carer support. 

• Confidentiality information for young people is important when accessing health services

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resources

Leaving Care Hub - Life After the System | AbSec NSW a free, practical online resource built with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people preparing to leave out-of-home care.

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) a national peak body for Aboriginal Community Controlled healthcare promoting and supporting culturally informed and community-led healthcare services, programs and research across Australia.

Counselling and Support Services 

• Headspace provides free counselling and GP services for young people aged 12 - 25. There is a Headspace in Chatswood and another in Brookdale. 
• KYDS Youth Development Service provides free counselling and support for young people. 
• Child and Youth Mental Health Service assists children and young people aged 5 - 17 with moderate to severe or complex mental health problems. A referral is needed for this service. 
• Uniting Youth Enhanced Support Service (YESS): Northern Sydney have a free program for young people aged 12-25 who are seeking further mental health support. They offer face-to-face, online and outreach sessions to explore holistic treatment options.
• Support for Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues | Butterfly Foundation provides support for eating disorders and body image issues. They have a helpline, support groups and programs.

Online Resources and Apps

• ReachOut Australia is an online mental health service for young people in Australia offering a free and anonymous online chat support with experienced peer workers and tips, stories and resources
• Fabulous is an app that uses challenges to help build physically and mentally healthy routines. 
• Headgear is an app created by Black Dog Institute that provides a 30-day guided mental fitness challenge. 
• MoodMission is an app for dealing with stress, low moods and anxiety. 
• myCompass is a customisable mental health self-help tool. 
• My Study Life is a study planner app to help students stay on top of their study. 
• Smiling Mind is a free mindfulness and meditation app. 

Creative Outlet Supports

• Workshops - Community Flower Studio is a youth mental health social enterprise based in a creative life skills studio that hold regular workshops such as floristry, print making, terrarium making and resin art.

   

   

Resources, education and support services

• Family Planning NSW provide free and confidential information, advice and options across a range of reproductive and sexual health issues including contraception, pregnancy options, puberty, STIs and health relationships.
• Play Safe is a NSW Health website with resources and education around safe sex, STI testing, contraceptives and healthy relationships. 
• Raising Children Network (Teenage pregnancy and parenting as a teenager)

   

Resources, programs and support services

• The Young Carers Network is a nationally coordinated resource to raise young carer awareness, provide information, and direct young carers to appropriate pathways for support.
• The Carer Gateway is an Australian Government program providing free services and support for carers. 

Other resources:

• Children of parents with a mental health
• Little dreamers
• Mental health carers NSW
• Young Carers Network

Alcohol and Other Drugs

• Sydney Drug Education and Counselling Centre provides free counselling and support for young people aged 12 - 25 with problematic alcohol and other drug use. 
• The Ted Noffs Foundation: PALM Residential Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation provides a residential treatment program for young people aged 13 – 18 to address serious drug and alcohol related difficulties.

Housing and Homelessness

• Northern Sydney Youth Homelessness Service provides case management and early intervention for young people under 25 who are at risk of homelessness. 
• Taldumande Youth Services provides crisis accommodation, semi-independent accommodation, and supported independent housing for young people. 
  • Taldumande Phoenix Youth Hub is dedicated to empowering young people in Sydney’s North with case management support and diverse programs to support young people to stay connected, engaged and confident to overcome challenges to their learning, employment or social participation

Legal Supports

• Legal Aid offers free legal advice and support for people experiencing financial hardship. 
• The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre provides free legal assistance for homeless and disadvantaged young people aged 25 and under. 
• Youth Law Australia provides free, confidential legal information and help for young people under 25. 
• Youth Advocacy Centre provides free and confidential legal, youth and family support for young people including bail response program and youth court assistance.

Resilience, Mentoring, and Crisis Supports

• StreetWork provides mentoring and case management for vulnerable young people to help turn their lives around. 
• Youth Up Front supports young people to explore, experience and achieve success when preparing for exiting school. 
• Step Together - Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) supports the community in overcoming the challenge of violent extremism through awareness and early intervention. If you notice someone is heading down the wrong path of promoting violence, Step Together has an online chat, dedicated case workers and programs to help.

   

1800 Respect: 1800 737 732
24/7 national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling and information line. 

13 Yarn: 13 92 76
24/7 crisis support for First Nations people. 

Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
24/7 telephone counselling for children and young people aged 5 - 25. 

Lifeline: 13 11 14 
24/7 crisis support telephone service. 

NSW Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511
24/7 advice and support line manned by mental health professionals. 

Qlife: 1800 184 527
Anonymous and free LGBTQIA+ peer support and referral for people who want to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. Available from 3:00pm - 12:00pm, 7 days. 

Suicide Callback Service: 1300 659 467
24/7 professional counselling for people affected by suicide. 

Youth Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 
24/7 information and telephone counselling for young people aged 12 - 24.