NSW

Contact Information

 

Street Address : Level 5, 280 Pitt St SYDNEY NSW 2000
Contact Number : (02) 9267 0977 or 1800 655 105
Email : nsw@create.org.au
Office Hours : 9.00am – 5.00pm
 



About the CREATE NSW Team

Vicki Papageorgopoulos
Position: Community Facilitator

About Vicki:

Hi my name is Vicki.  I run programs for children and young people in care.  One of the programs I run is called ‘Young Consultants Training’ where we focus on learning about goal setting, public speaking skills and strength based communication. If you are interested in doing this program contact the CREATE foundation – you could then volunteer to represent CREATE at public speaking events (only if you want to).  I also arrange a youth group – it’s a group of young people with a care experience who meet on a Saturday.  We talk about issues that kids in care experience and then we do something fun – like going to the movies.  I also work with the NYAC delegates to help change the care system in NSW.

Mohammad Ali
Position: Community Facilitator

About Mohammad:

Hey, I recently joined CREATE in October 2009 and am excited to be apart of such a cool team working on some great projects for young people. One of these projects is aimed at helping young people get their licenses and this is one of the main aspects of my job. Other aspects that I really enjoy are when young people get involved and I get to hear their stories and learn about their lives. I am passionate about the services and opportunities that we can provide for young people here because growing up in a country where organizations like CREATE do not exist I understand their significance. If I can get away I love going camping with friends and when I’m not working I love to make and listen to all sorts of music, play football, basketball the occasional video game, and (secretly) watch long cricket matches.

 

Adam Geren
Position: Community Facilitator

About Adam:

I joined the CREATE foundation in November 2010. I am enjoying my position as a Community Facilitator and being part of the awesome NSW team.

My role within the CREATE NSW team is to organise new and exciting connection and engagement events like the CREATE Christmas Party.  The aim of these events is to connect young people to each other and CREATE.  I am also responsible for increasing clubCREATE membership and writing the NSW newsletter where children and young people send stories, poetry and artworks to be published. As a Community Facilitator it is great to see children and young people feeling empowered to help improve standards in the care sector.
 

 

Charter of Rights for Children and Young People in Care

The Charter of Rights sets out the rights of all children and young people in care in this state.  The Charter talks about what you can expect from people who look after you and work with you while you are in care. If you feel like your rights are not being met, you should talk to an adult you trust like your carer or caseworker, or call the numbers listed on the Charter of Rights. You could also try calling CREATE in your state on 1800 655 105 to talk about your options. Some useful links:

Latest News

People are getting on board with the importance of Leaving Care thanks to the great work CREATE does. Check out the Greens website for more information: www.janbarham.org.au/?p=790

New booklets available for teens leaving care and their carers (NSW)
Learning to look after yourself and solve life’s problems is part of growing up, but you might need some help to get started.

If you are turning 18 or leaving care* soon, download a copy of Your Next Step at here.

*Leaving care means the Children’s Court order placing a person in foster, relative or kinship care has come to an end. This usually occurs when a young person turns 18. It doesn’t mean they will leave the carer’s home as this decision is up to the teen and their carer.

Your Next Step contains a wealth of resources for teens who are approaching the end of their time in care. It’s a handy booklet that explains where to get advice about money/budgeting, accommodation/rental agreements, education, work and health. It also has a section on wellbeing, a young person’s rights and responsibilities, plus plenty of useful contacts.

There’s also a checklist where you can test yourself on what skills you have here.

If your carer wants to help you prepare for leaving care, they can download a copy of Community Service’s new booklet for carers, Leading the Way here.

This booklet explains how to teach life skills like cooking, money management and job searching to teenagers. It also contains information on putting things in place for the transition to independent living and managing expectations around leaving.

You can also contact your caseworker or care agency about getting a copy of Your Next Step. While Your Next Step and Leading the Way are useful guides, don’t hesitate to ask your caseworker or care agency for help on how to get ready for life after care.

These booklets have been developed by Community Services with the help of teens in care, CREATE Foundation, Connecting Carers NSW, Aboriginal Child, Family and Community Care State Secretariat NSW (AbSec), Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies (ACWA) and Housing NSW.


Leaving Care Mentoring for young people with a disability
Young people that are part of the Department of Aging, Disability and Home Care Leaving Care Program with a disability are eligible for the Leaving Care Program Mentoring Service.

Young people can refer themselves, or with their approval the Department of Aging, Disability and Home Care Information, Referral and Intake Officer or Leaving Care Program Service Provider can alsomake a referral.

The Leaving Care Program Mentoring Service covers all rural and metropolitan areas throughout NSW.

There is no charge to access the Leaving Care Program Mentoring Service.

Check out the Leaving care mentoring flyer and Client mentoring flyer here.


Events and Activities

Upcoming Events

Date What Where
15th-21st of May National Families Week www.familiesaustralia.org.au
Saturday 19th of May Youth Advisory group Sydney Office, Contact Vicki
Saturday 16th of June CREATE Your Future, Sydney Sydney Office, Contact Mo

Youth Advisory Groups
Date: Every 2 months

Join a group of friendly, funny and sometimes loud young people at CREATE’s Youth Advisory Group meetings. We talk about your ideas to make the care system better as well as a fun free activity. We have already been ice skating, taken a trip to Darling Harbour’s Wildlife world and visited Luna Park! If you live in or around Sydney, you should get on board!! Click here to view our YAG flyer email Vicki or call Vicki on 9267 0977.


About Our Programs

clubCREATE
clubCREATE is a club for children and young people in care, or with a care experience. Members get a welcome pack, bi-monthly magazines, invitations to events, and a birthday card each year. You can join clubCREATE by calling your NSW office on 02 9267 0977 or email clubCREATE@create.org.au and ask for a membership form.

Entering Care Kits
If you are entering care for the first time, CREATE will deck you out with a backpack of essential stuff to help you on your way. The kit includes CREATE program information, a newsletter and some other fun stuff. You need to join clubCREATE to be able to receive a kit just contact your NSW office on 02 9267 0977 or email clubCREATE@create.org.au.

Show me the Ropes or Show me the Circus or …
Want to swing from tree to tree? Show me the… ropes or circus or mountain is an adventure day which can include activities like ropes courses, circus training, horse riding or climbing mountains. It is for young people aged 14-18 years and an accompanying adult which could be your foster carer, case worker, sibling or significant person.

State and Territory Youth Advisory Group’s
The Youth Advisory Group is a program that brings young people together to discuss care issues and explore solutions. Youth Advisory groups are in each state and territory and provide feedback which activates change for the better. The Youth Advisory Group also tells CREATE how best to represent the opinions of children and young people in care. To find out more contact your CREATE NSW office on 02 9267 0977.

Young Consultants
Young Consultants are young people aged 14 and over who have had a care experience. They work alongside CREATE to share with others in the community what it is like to be in care. Young Consultants go to conferences, consultations, forums and events to represent CREATE and young people in care. To become a young consultant you need to complete Young Consultants Training.

Young Consultants also get a few perks. They can participate in connection activities like trips to the movies and professional development courses including things like Senior First Aid, interview skills, budgeting and building a resume all of which Young Consultants can access for free.

Young Consultants Training
To become a Young Consultant you need to undertake the Young Consultant’s Training Course which is a fun training workshop. You can hang out with other young people, develop skills in presentation and public speaking and learn all about the Care system. Young Consultants training may lead to opportunities to do some occasional paid work with CREATE in through representation at conferences, consultations, forums and events and providing training support.

Case Worker Training
This is an opportunity for Young Consultants to affect positive change within the care sector. A CREATE staff member and up to three Young Consultants deliver a training session to case workers who work directly with children and young people in out-of-home care.

Anyone interested in sharing their experience or developing their public speaking skills should contact NSW Office on 02 9267 0977 or 1800 655 105.

CREATE Your Future website | www.createyourfuture.org.au

This website is designed to assist young people who are leaving care. It has heaps of information on topics like health, housing, education, employment and more. You can also read stories about other peoples’ experiences of leaving care.

In NSW, CREATE receives funding from the NSW Department of Community Services.