Projects

Generation Next at JOY Melbourne: An Evaluation

The Generation Next Training Program was set up at JOY Melbourne (a community radio station) in 2003 to increase the connection of same sex attracted young people (SSAY) to the Gay and Lesbian community. As a community broadcaster, JOY Melbourne was considered to be a good avenue to promote this connection through a training program that would give young people the skills to broadcast about SSAY issues and then be further involved in JOY Melbourne through volunteering and management. The first grant was received from the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) in 2002. During 2005, JOY Melbourne received a further grant from FYA to continue providing radio training programs to young people. Generation Next, the current grant, is for training programs conducted in 2006/7.

The AYRC conducted the original evaluation of the Generation Next program for Beyond...  and is also currently conducting the second evaluation for Beyond ... throughout 2006/7.

The Interim Report of the program has found that while the training program was designed for the needs of the same sex attracted young people it had many factors that are also present in other programs that engage with young people. The provision of a supportive environment described as a ‘free space’ provided an environment in which young people felt safe to explore their sexual identities. This then enabled young people to develop the relationships with other same sex attracted young people going through similar experiences while the trainers and other workers at the station were able to support the young people through both the provision of mentoring and in their training role. For the trainers the program was not just an opportunity to deliver skills but also to assist the young people develop their narratives and stories. While the young people identified the social aspect of the training program as most important, the training program also provided the young people with a range of transferable and generic skills as well as possible career narratives that they had not previously entertained. JOY Melbourne acknowledged the importance of a decision-making role for the young people and provision was made for young people to contribute to the management of the station.

Contact:  Helen Stokes

Email: h.stokes@unimelb.edu.au