LOCAL SERVICES

There are quite a few services available for young people in the Highlands offering everything from social groups, school holiday activities through to counselling and specialised support programs.

COUNSELLING

Centre of Youth (COY)
The Centre of Youth is a confidential Mental Health Service providing assessment and counselling for those attending High School between the ages of 12 – 17.
The centre supports young people with depression, anxiety and issues around self-harm. If you wish to refer yourself, family member or friend, please contact the Community Health Centre on 4861 8000 ask for intake between the hours of 9am – 3pm Monday to Friday.

COY is opened 8:30am – 5pm. If you have an emergency and it’s after hours or on the weekend you can contact a counsellor through the Emergency Department at Bowral Hospital on 4861 0200

Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD)
The Wingecarribee Drug Health Service is a part of Sydney Southwest Area Health Service. They provide assessment, counselling, Hospital & Community consultation & Liaison, GP & Pharmacy Liaison, Education & resources. Services are FREE and confidential. The Service can be accessed by ringing direct to the service on 4861 8084, drop in to assessment clinic on Tuesdays between 8:00am and 12:00pm, speak to intake worker at Community Health or referral through Local Doctor or Bowral Hospital.

Grief & Loss
Southern Highlands Bereavement Care Service offers services to people who are suffering with grief and loss. You don’t need a referral just call 4862 1701 to make an appointment. For people who are working a donation is requested but if you don’t have a job counselling is free. You can find out more about this service at www.shbcs.org.au or email shbcs@dodo.com.au

Anglicare Southern Highlands
Services provided include the following Emergency Relief - during hours of 9:30 am to 12:00 pm Monday to Friday, Counselling - 2 days per week, Tearoom - Free tearoom for anyone – Monday to Friday 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. Other programs are available at various times including an art class. 
471 Argyle Street
Moss Vale   NSW   2577
Phone: 4868 1780
Fax: 4869 1023

Adolescent & Family Counselling Service
Aims to provide free counselling support and information for young people aged 12 – 20 yrs and their parents and /or carers living in the Southern Highlands.

For Young People counselling is about:
Anxiety and depression, alcohol and other drugs, anger management, eating disorders and body image issues, education, employment and goal setting, friends and relationships, sexuality

For Parents and Carers counselling is about:
Issues affecting teenagers and their healthy development, family issues and relationships, grief and loss, anger management and conflict

Other things we do:
Referrals to other specialist workers, home visits and outreach, provide information sessions in the community, groups and consultation
Please contact us on 48617111 or 0408383723 or highlandsafc@bigpond.com

INFORMATION, SUPPORT & REFERRAL

Department of Juvenile Justice
To provide effective, offending focused intervention through assessment, supervision and case management of juvenile offenders. To deliver community based programs at the local office level in accordance with relevant legislation, departmental policies, guidelines and procedures to minimise the re-offending of juvenile offenders and enhance their functioning in and/or reintegration into the community.
For more information phone 02 4862 2211
Suite 5 AMP Building
409 Bong Bong Street
Bowral 2576

Highlands Community Centres Inc
Also known as Stafford Cottage. HCC is an information and referral service, they also have free Tax Help, Legal Aid referrals they also help out with emergency relief for food and medications. HCC is opened 9am – 4pm except Wednesdays they close at 1pm.
For more information they are at
22 Bendooley St Bowral
Phone 4862 1122
Email hcc_2@bigpond.net.au

Loseby Park Youth Centre
Safe & supervised place for all young people 12 – 18 years.
There is an Air Hockey Table and Pool Table for young people to use.
OPEN HOURS: Tuesday 11am – 3pm, Wednesday & Thursday 11am – 5pm, and Fridays 11am – 4pm. LPYC is also open at other times for special events.
School holiday programs are offered every school holidays, and we offer activities / events every Youth Week.
Staff can provide crisis counselling, information and referral to other services. LPYC has a range of free information for young people to access.
Contact details: Park Rd, Bowral.
Phone (02) 4862 2052 Fax (02) 4862 1897
Email lpyc@bigpond.net.au

PHILANTHROPIC
These are non-profit organisations that work to enhance and support a wide range of community needs.

M.A.D Youth
M.A.D Youth is a committee of the Wingecarribee Community Foundation. We Make a Difference for Young People in the Highlands. We have already granted $30,000 to local youth projects and helped put on concerts, events, and developed heaps of new skills and great experiences. We’ve run forums and festivals linking young people with the community and had a great time. We’ve partnered with the Berrima District Credit Union to provide more opportunities for young people.
If you are 12yrs to 25 yrs old come along check it out and help us Make A Difference You can find M.A.D. Youth at www.myspace.com/sh_madyouth Email us at info@wingecarribeecommunity.org.au call us on 4862 1466

MEDICAL/HEALTH

There is bulk billing medical care available for people on a health care card:

Mittagong Health Care Centre
3 Albert St (behind the Post Office) Mittagong
Ph; 4872 3933

Mittagong Medical Centre
Bulk billing for young people under 16
17 Regent St Mittagong
Phone 4871 1500

Wingecarribee Community Health Centre
Offer services in; Aged Care, Children services, Counselling, Dental services, Dietetics, Drug & Alcohol (D & A), Early childhood centres, Health Education, HIV/AIDS, Mental Health, Needle & Syringe Exchange Program, Occupational therapy, Palliative care, Sexual Assault Service, Social work services, Primary Health Nursing
They can be contacted at:
Bendooley Street, Bowral, 2576
Ph: 02 4861 8000 Fax: 02 4861 4956

ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS

WASP 
Stands for the Wingecarribee Adolescent Survival Program; it is a program for young people aged 14 – 18 who have left school early or are at risk of leaving school schools early. The WASP project seeks to engage with young people through a dynamic group work, it is designed to bring self awareness, develop skills and provide educational opportunities. WASP is a 6 week program that runs 3 day a week. For more information call Gail or Neal on 4861 7111 or email: wasp@hinet.net.au

YWCA
Runs a variety of programs, if you or someone you know has left high school early, are 15 - 24 years, unemployed then YWCA has programs that might interest you and help you get a job. The Links to Learning course funded by the NSW Department of Education and Training, courses in various subjects including retail, hospitality the course is totally cost free and involves outings and excursions for more info contact; YWCA Campbelltown on 4628 3300 or Picton 4677 3940 or Bowral 4861 7523 or check their web site www.ywcansw.com.au

RAT Foundation
An innovative program to give young people of the Highlands the skills needed to approach various career paths and life options has been launched by The RAT Foundation, a non-profit, local volunteer organisation. The program offers young people training and experience in communication, planning, implementing ideas, taking direction as well as numeracy skills within a cooperatively functioning group.
They can be contacted on 4869 5335

GROUPS, PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES

Young Parents Group
Wingecarribee Family Support Service runs a young parent group for both mums and dads aged up to 25 years and their children; the group is on Friday’s from10am-12 except during school holidays. If you don’t have a car Family Support can pick you up.
They are located at 6 Mount Rd, Bowral
Phone 4862 1777
Email karena.wfss@people.net.au or admin@wfss.ngo.org.au

Loseby Park Youth Centre
OPEN HOURS: Tuesday 11am – 3pm, Wednesday & Thursday 11am – 5pm, and Fridays 11am – 4pm. LPYC is also open at other times for special events.
School holiday programs are offered every school holidays, and we offer activities / events every Youth Week.
Contact details: Park Rd, Bowral.
Phone (02) 4862 2052 Fax (02) 4862 1897
Email lpyc@bigpond.net.au

SPORTING CLUBS
Click here for more information

ARTS AND THEATRE GROUPS
Click here for more information

YOUTH CLUBS
Guides NSW Southern Highlands Region
Phone: 02 4868 2590
Donkin St, Moss Vale 2577
Mail to: 4 Mitchell Place, Moss Vale 2577
Service Description: Girls 5 - 18 years. Groups meet at various times in Mittagong, Moss Vale and Bowral

Scout Association of Australia Hume Region
Phone: 02 46284994
Mail to: PO Box 1153, Campbelltown 2560
Service Description: Scout groups in Bowral, Bundanoon, Mittagong, Moss Vale, Robertson and "Berrima” Scout camp

RELIGIOUS, SPRITUAL
There is a range of religious and spiritual groups in the area for more go to www.thesouthernhighlands.com.au/community/churches