Uniting’s YESG program [Youth Evening Support Group] has been running in Melbourne since 2023.
The program supports young people aged between 16–25 in recovery from alcohol and other drugs and mental health issues.
“YESG [has] supported young people in lots of different ways,” explains Daniel Dempster, Lead Facilitator of Youth AOD Support Groups.
“We’ve supported young people to re-engage with education, to re-engage with employment. We’ve supported young people materialistically, so with groceries, clothes. We do social activities and stuff as well. So, it’s quite a good social connection for the young people as well.”
Frances is one of the young people who regularly attends the program.
“Since I’ve had this support and I’ve gotten sober, a lot of things have come back into place,” she says. “I’ve made a lot of friends … I’m working, I’m doing uni again.”
Since the program began, YESG has supported more than 80 young people in their recovery.
“Everyone’s got their own story and everyone’s an individual,” adds Dan. “We don’t know what the person’s been through. It’s not up to us to tell them how their recovery journey should go.”
Learn more about our youth services.
