03Jul
Speak Up participants learn about the care system and develop advocacy, leadership and public speaking skills. Upon completion of the training, they become CREATE Young Consultants who use their stories and experiences to represent CREATE and advocate with us at local, state or national events and forums.
This training can help young people to effectively contribute to discussions with decision-makers, train workers and help to change the system for other children and young people in care.
Speak Up is fun, free and includes meals and snacks. We often hold our Speak Up training at a cool location or do something to celebrate after like dinner and ice cream! Check out some photos below from our recent trainings.
How CREATE’s Speak Up (SUP) training works
Young people will focus on building skills like self-confidence and team work. We also learn about what advocacy means and how to use strength-based communication.
After the completion of level one, young people will have gained foundational communication and speaking skills that help them to become confident youth advocates. At this point, they can become a Young Consultant and then continue to work on their advocacy skills through Levels 2 and 3.
Young people will build on the communication and leadership skills developed in level 1. We also talk about personal boundaries as well as rights and responsibilities.
This is the final level of Speak Up training and focuses on advancing skills to be able to participate in national work on behalf of CREATE Foundation. In level 3 we work through how to effectively represent other children and young people at a high level. We also discuss the role the media has and learn skills to be able to engage positively with the media. We also build on leadership skills to then be able to facilitate discussions.
As a CREATE Young Consultant, you’ll unlock new opportunities with CREATE. Including the chance to attend our national conference, Voices in Action, speak to the media about your experience (like Young Consultants Haeden and James speaking on the radio below) and be eligible for committee and board memberships where you can contribute to change in the care system.
The Speak Up Program gave me the skills and confidence that I needed to be able to speak in front of people. I’m looking forward to completing level three so that I’ll be able to help out where I can to make the care system better
Seeing young people use their voice and being listened to and the power this has on them still astounds me – to have a young person in your home who feels voiceless and to witness the change Speak Up can have on these young people.
This website was built in consultation with children and young people with a care experience. Thank you to all the young people involved in providing feedback and sharing your insights throughout this process.
CREATE acknowledges the traditional owners of the lands on which we all live and work. We pay our respects to the elders past, present and emerging.
National Office – Sydney
Suite 601, Level 6, 80 George St
PARRAMATTA NSW 2150
Phone: (02) 9267 1999
Email: create@create.org.au
ABN 69 088 075 058
National Office – Brisbane
15 Lever St,
Albion Qld 4010
Phone: (07) 3062 4860
Email: create@create.org.au
