During Youth Week Tasmania we’re reminded of something those of us who work alongside young people see every day: when young people feel seen, supported and believed in, everything changes.

Not just for them, but for families, schools, workplaces and the wider community around them.

Young people today are navigating a complex world. Many are balancing school, work and family expectations while also facing challenges such as anxiety, disconnection, housing stress at home, or uncertainty about what comes next. At the same time, they bring enormous creativity, resilience, ideas and potential to the communities they are part of.

Youth Week Tasmania is an opportunity to recognise that reality. It is a time to celebrate young people, listen to their perspectives and acknowledge the strengths they bring to our community.

This year’s theme - “Our Voice. Our Vision. Our Future.” - highlights something incredibly important. Young people should not simply be talked about or planned for. Their voices, ideas and aspirations should help lead and shape the conversations about the communities they live in and the opportunities available to them.

Creating space for young people to speak, contribute and influence decisions is not just symbolic. It helps communities respond earlier, create strong support networks and build better pathways into education, training and employment.

Across Tasmania, organisations, schools and community groups are increasingly recognising the importance of investing in young people early and creating spaces where their voices can genuinely be heard.

In my role overseeing City Mission’s Youth Services, I see every day how powerful the right support, connection and mentoring relationships can be in helping young people build confidence and find direction.

At City Mission, our Youth Services focus on walking alongside young people during some of the most formative years of their lives.

A central part of this work is The Mish, a youth hub where young people can connect, build relationships and explore opportunities through programs such as Expressions, Life Hacks and Hangouts. For many young people, simply having a safe place to belong and supportive adults who show up consistently can make an enormous difference.

Alongside this, Mish Futures provides more structured mentoring support for young people who may need additional guidance to navigate education, employment pathways or personal challenges.

Our team also developed and delivers Game On, a school-based program that explores gambling, gaming mechanics and financial decision-making with young people. By helping students understand how these systems work and how risk and probability influence outcomes, the program supports young people to make safer and more informed choices.

Together, these programs create spaces where young people can build confidence, develop skills, strengthen connections and begin to see new possibilities for their future.

Sometimes the most powerful change begins with something simple: a safe conversation, a trusted adult, or a place where a young person knows they are welcome.

This kind of early support can make a significant difference. When young people have access to positive relationships, mentoring and safe spaces to connect, they are far more likely to remain engaged in education, develop confidence and build pathways into training, employment and community life.

Early support also reduces the likelihood that young people will later require more intensive crisis services. When communities invest in prevention and early connection, the long-term outcomes are stronger for individuals, families and the wider community.

Youth services are sometimes viewed as something that only matter when a crisis has already happened. In reality, they play an important preventative role.

When young people feel supported early, the long-term outcomes are stronger for everyone. Young people who feel connected are more likely to stay engaged in education, build healthy relationships and move confidently toward training, employment and independence.

Families experience greater stability. Schools see stronger wellbeing and engagement. Communities benefit from young people who feel valued and capable of contributing.

This is why investing in young people matters.

Youth Week Tasmania is a chance to celebrate young people, but it is also a moment to reflect on the role we all play in supporting them.

We can listen more carefully to their perspectives. We can create spaces where young people feel safe to speak and contribute. We can support the relationships and services that help young people build confidence, connection and opportunity.

At City Mission, we are proud to work alongside young people in our community and to partner with schools, community organisations and the broader youth sector to help create positive pathways for the future.

Because stronger futures do not begin someday.

They begin when young people know they are supported today.

Sue Ryan

Operations Manager – Children, Youth & Futures

City Mission