TWELVE25 Salisbury Youth Enterprise Centre is the City of Salisbury's commitment to expanding youth services across the city. The Centre is based on Wiltshire Street, adjacent to the Old Salisbury Institute.

The new and refurbished building includes the institute hall, training / meeting rooms, a computer suite, kitchen, consulting room and serviced office space. PBA-FM 89.7 Community Radio is also co-locating at the site.

Rick Henke, Youth Centre Coordinator, said “The building has had an amazing amount of development and will be home to the past users of the institute, the new youth programs and PBA-FM. Additionally, businesses and community groups can hire space in the centre.”

The refurbishment has continued with the repainting of the walls and ceiling, polishing of the floor boards and the installation of air conditioning, in The Main Hall (The Old Salisbury Institute).The supper room hasn't been left out; with new air conditioning and polished floor boards it is a great place to hold a meeting or an event.

City of Salisbury staff members Linda Weiss (Youth services Officer) and Rick Henke are based at the Centre, along with students on professional placement and other volunteers. It boasts a friendly atmosphere for those involved at the Centre.

Twelve25's success is attested to by the recent addition of a new staff member Kate Walker (Youth Services Project Coordinator).That's Kate painting above (not in her job description!)

TWELVE25 aims to increase the capacity of young people aged 12 years to 25 years. The focus of the centre will be the delivery of development programs that enhance social interaction, education, employment and enterprise opportunities.

A new program at Twelve25 includes the Australian Refugee Association Homework Help Club to provide help to new arrivals. This works on Tuesdays 4pm until 6pm and is free and includes transport home. Call Natalie on 8354 2951 to book your place.

Another new service is the new Case Management Youth Support Service which provides individual one-on-one personal support. This could include working with Centrelink, legal issues, personal problems, drug and alcohol issues, housing and other problem solving. Appointments are available Monday, Tuesday and Friday afternoons between 3pm and 5pm.

During the School holidays over December (2007) and January (2008) many programs occurred. These included; WII competitions, Fantastic Family Day, Youth Fun Nite, Hair and Beauty Revelation, Healthy fast food, chalk it up-Australia Day Theme & BBQ. An estimated 150 young people came into the centre during the school holidays, joining in with activities and surfing the net in the computer suite. The computer suite consists of 12 computers; and is open from 3pm – 5pm, Monday to Friday and 10am – 1pm on Saturday.

Would you like to be a volunteer at Twelve25? What's in it for me? Give us a call you will be surprised; eg. free computer courses, experience in an office environment, new challenges every day, just to name a few.

Recently some of our young members were asked what they liked about TWELVE25. “Spending time with my mates , while accessing the internet” and “The friendly staff and the newly installed drink and food vending machine” were just some of the responses given.

For more information about the centre and upcoming programs, contact Rick Henke on 8253 9928, SMS 0401 984 784 or email rhenke@salisbury.sa.gov.au