MOUNT Gambier’s Ally Finnis will use her volunteering experience to make a difference at a national level after gaining a position on Headspace’s National Youth Reference Group (hY NRG).
Ms Finnis recently spent time in Melbourne discussing important issues relating to young people’s wellbeing with other like-minded youths from across Australia.
“hY NRG is a collection of approximately 20 young people from all over the Australian Headspace network who work to ensure young people’s voices remain front and centre in service decisions, discussions and developments,” Ms Finnis said.
It also ensures the resources Headspace receives from government and corporate partners are put to the best use.
The local mental health advocate said she strongly believed in making a difference in the lives of young people and will work to ensure new initiatives from Headspace will have a positive impact.
As a group member, Ms Finnis is also able to originate ideas and initiatives and is already involved with several projects.
Many of the national youth team have experienced their own struggles, but have overcome them to become advocates for youth mental health and related issues.
Ms Finnis’ own personal difficulties during adolescence helped inspire her decision to apply for the group and volunteer with Headspace Mount Gambier after it opened last year.
Headspace Mount Gambier centre manager Tasja Barelds said Ms Finnis was a leading example of a regional young person working hard to further herself and not afraid to extend her “learning boundaries”.
Ms Finnis is passionate about mental well being and service access in regional areas.
“LGBTIQA, reducing stigma around seeking help, neurodiversity awareness and acceptance and the intersection of disability and/or chronic illness and mental health in young people are all important to me,” she said.
Ms Finnis said she hoped to promote the diverse needs of young people, contribute ideas and knowledge gained from her lived experience and ensure that Headspace continued to provide safe, relevant and effective services.
During her term, Ms Finnis will have the opportunity to gain valuable skills which will further her work as a youth volunteer in the area.
“I am really looking forward to working with young people in the South East, the Headspace network, and hY NRG over the next 18 months,” Ms Finnis said.
