In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Youth Affairs Council of WA is adapting its work arrangements to limit the spread of the virus in our community and maintain the health and wellbeing of our staff, our stakeholders and the young people we work to support.
We’ve taken the following measures:
• We’ve cancelled workshops for our Youth Educating Peers Project, Youth Educating about Waste and projects, shifting to online modules and remote delivery where possible.
• We’ve instituted a company-wide response plan that supports our team working from home, providing resources to facilitate business continuity where necessary.
• We’re speaking closely with funding bodies, stakeholders and fellow youth sector organisations to coordinate our efforts to minimise the spread of the virus while continuing with our essential organisational operations.
• We’ve committed to supporting and paying our casual staff wherever we can. Casual workers are amongst the most financially vulnerable at a time like this – we encourage organisations in the sector to support their casual stuff however they can.
Our staff are available in their usual work hours via email. If you have any questions or you’re seeking advice from us, the best contact point is our general email – yacwa@yacwa.org.au.
Resources
Like many of you, we’re closely monitoring health advice from state, federal and international bodies. If you’re looking for more information on the current status, or what to do if you’re at risk, we recommend the following resources:
Department of Health (Federal)
Department of Health (Western Australia)
World Health Organisation Covid-19 Portal
Covid-19 Hotline – open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (1800 020 080)
WA Council of Social Services (WACOSS) resources
We also acknowledge that this health crisis presents a number of mental health challenges. There are resources available for you if you’re in need of counselling support:
Beyond Blue, 1300 22 4636
Lifeline, 13 11 14
