Disengaged Kwinana youth gain skills, confidence through bike rescue program

Ten of the community’s most disengaged young people were recently selected to participate in a five-week bike rescue program with Dismantle.

Selected by Kwinana Youth Services and Gilmore College, the youth involved built and restored bikes using dialectic behavioural therapy, an evidenced-based mental health therapy practice.

Mayor Carol Adams said the City of Kwinana valued the importance of learning and education and wanted to give the youth of Kwinana the best opportunities possible.

“Dismantle’s unique program has seen a really positive response from the young people who have been a part of this fantastic initiative,” she said.

“Aimed at students in years 8 and 9, the program helps to build social skills, feelings of accomplishment and engage young people by being involved in an activity using a hands-on learning style.”

The City’s Youth Services team said the majority of participants indicated they were more likely to go into specialised school or alternative learning programs to further their skills.