Youth Week is always one of the highlights of our year – an opportunity to celebrate, amplify, and genuinely connect with young people. This year’s theme, Strength in Our Stories, felt particularly fitting as our teams across Western Australia came together with young people to create experiences that were as unique and vibrant as the communities they came from.
From open mic nights to youth festivals, youth organised second hand stalls and henna stations, Youth Week 2026 was a week of creativity and connection.
Peel & South West – Wild West in Capel, Dardanup Youth Fest & Serpentine Jarrahdale YouthFest
The Peel & South West team had a full week of community connection. From freestyle coaching sessions and a skate competition at the Shire of Dardanup’s Create, Skate, Activate event, to the official WA Youth Week launch at the Shire of Capel’s Wild West Youth Fest alongside the headspace Manjimup team, the week was packed with opportunities to engage with young people and share information about our services.
A highlight was Dardanup’s YouthFest, where the Shire’s Youth Advisory Group ran an op shop fundraiser, and generously donated all proceeds to Youth Focus – a powerful example of young people leading initiatives to support their peers.
The team also attended Shire of Collie’s Youth Week Expo and the Serpentine Jarrahdale Youth Festival. Overall, for the team, Youth Week highlighted the impact of showing up, working alongside young people, and supporting initiatives designed by youth, for youth that promote voice, wellbeing, creativity, and connection.
Midland – Lyricz & Lines Open Mic Night
Midland celebrated Strength in Our Stories with Lyricz & Lines, an open mic night offering young people a safe and supportive stage to share their creativity. Eight performers shared original poetry, short stories, and songs with an audience of more than 40 people – no small act of courage.
A special acknowledgement to Kiara and Lili, who championed the event from concept to execution, even talking to RTR FM to promote it to the broader community.
Northam – Northam YouthFest
Northam hosted its second YouthFest, and the day was a genuine celebration of community, creativity, and connection. The day began with a Welcome to Country by Aunty Cathy, grounding the event in culture and place. The Youth Reference Group was central to the day – not only helping organise it, but also performing on the stage, and bringing energy to activities, which included painting blue trees, book decoration, henna, and traditional Aboriginal sports games. The bucking bull kept spirits high from start to finish.
YouthFest has become something headspace Northam is proud to champion, and year two confirmed it as a meaningful annual opportunity to connect with young people in the region.
Geraldton – Mid West Youth Fest
The Geraldton team attended the Mid West Youth Fest, using creativity to connect with young people. Jewellery dish and t-shirt painting gave young people a hands-on entry point to meet community engagement officers Chloe and Beau, and spark genuine conversations about wellbeing and support.
Youth Week 2026 was a reminder that when young people are given space, support, and the chance to lead, something remarkable happens. Each of their stories reflect strength, experience and connection – and we are proud to celebrate their young people across WA.
