HEADSPACE SPACE: Andrew McPherson, Katrina Hishon, Mary Shone, David Beaver, Catherine King, and Larelle Kuczer at this morning's announcement about the location of Ballarat's new Headspace centre. PICTURE: KATE HEALY
BALLARAT's new local headspace youth mental health centre has found a home in Camp Street, with the facility expecting to open its doors by the end of April.
Headspace will undertake a $250,000 refit of the 400sqm property currently occupied by BOSS Office Systems & Service, which will relocate to Latrobe Street.
Katrina Hishon is manager of the new headspace centre, which is geared at helping those aged between 12 and 25.
She said the facility would close a gap in the mental health services provided to Ballarat's young people.
"Camp Street is just a fantastic venue, it's so close to all the youth precinct. It's very accessible and close to public transport for young people to come in," Ms Hishon said.
Larelle Kuczer will handle youth engagement and community development at headspace Ballarat.
She said there was a lot of energy and excitement about the location.
A diverse group of 12 young people between the ages of 15 and 22 would help design how the space operates, she said.
"Having a range of services in the one spot, as a bit of one stop shop for young people is important,"she said.
Ms Hishon said the centre would look completely different to its current guise as a office supplies business.
"We've got plans already drawn up ready to go so we're just waiting for access to the site, which we're hoping will occur in the next couple of weeks," she said.
Andrew McPherson, CEO of the Grampians Medicare Local, said easy access to mental health services was one of the biggest issues for young people.
"It's located exactly where we want it to be, which is close to uni, downtown and public transport. Our goal is to create a facility to enable young people to take part in a way that suits them."
