‘Give Us a Chance and Listen to Us’ – Your Voice 2025
Tracks
MARQUIS ROOM - In-Person Only
| Tuesday, March 17, 2026 |
| 2:05 PM - 2:35 PM |
Overview
Benjamin Pook, yourtown
Presenter
Mr Benjamin Pook
Advocacy And Government Relations Manager
yourtown
‘Give Us a Chance and Listen to Us’ – Your Voice 2025
Presentation Overview
In 2025 yourtown delivered the Your Voice project for the second time, which focussed on identifying and exploring key issues for young people in Australia. This project was not just about gathering data, it was focussed on working with young people to develop the project and making sure that their voices were heard.
The project was delivered in three stages, a national survey which heard from more than 4,000 young people, a series of online forums which explored their views on key issues and a summit that brought young people together to develop recommendations for change.
What we heard was that there was a complex collection of issues and concerns that are impacting on young people in Australia, which together impact on their mental health and wellbeing. These include mental illness, cost of living, inclusion, and domestic and family violence. We also heard that these issues are not isolated, and cannot be dealt with on an individual basis, which was clearly demonstrated by the recommendations they created.
This presentation will highlight the areas for change that were identified by participants and provide details of the recommendations which they wanted to see. It will also highlight the key role that young people had in shaping the project and the benefits of that involvement in the outcomes which were achieved. Finally, attendees will be able to come away with an understanding of what changes they can advocate for in their workplaces, programs and communities to improve the wellbeing and mental health of children and young people.
As one participant said: ‘Young people are smart, aware and insightful. Give us a chance and listen to us.’
Three Key Learnings:
1. Build an understanding of the issues which are impacting on young people in Australia
2. Gain insights into the areas where young people want change and the practical actions which service providers and the community can take to improve outcomes for young people
3. Appreciate the essential role that young people have in informing and creating change, particularly in areas that impact their daily life
The project was delivered in three stages, a national survey which heard from more than 4,000 young people, a series of online forums which explored their views on key issues and a summit that brought young people together to develop recommendations for change.
What we heard was that there was a complex collection of issues and concerns that are impacting on young people in Australia, which together impact on their mental health and wellbeing. These include mental illness, cost of living, inclusion, and domestic and family violence. We also heard that these issues are not isolated, and cannot be dealt with on an individual basis, which was clearly demonstrated by the recommendations they created.
This presentation will highlight the areas for change that were identified by participants and provide details of the recommendations which they wanted to see. It will also highlight the key role that young people had in shaping the project and the benefits of that involvement in the outcomes which were achieved. Finally, attendees will be able to come away with an understanding of what changes they can advocate for in their workplaces, programs and communities to improve the wellbeing and mental health of children and young people.
As one participant said: ‘Young people are smart, aware and insightful. Give us a chance and listen to us.’
Three Key Learnings:
1. Build an understanding of the issues which are impacting on young people in Australia
2. Gain insights into the areas where young people want change and the practical actions which service providers and the community can take to improve outcomes for young people
3. Appreciate the essential role that young people have in informing and creating change, particularly in areas that impact their daily life
Biography
Ben is the Advocacy and Government Relations Manager for yourtown, who runs Kids Helpline. Ben is an experienced community workers and advocate who has more than 20 years experience working with and empowering communities, including young people and people with disabilities. His work now focusses on systemic change to improve the lives of all children and young people.
As an individual with a lived experience of mental illness and two young children Ben is passionate about ensuring that we provide the best possible community for our children and young people, which allow them to thrive.
