We are delighted to share our news that The Melbourne Sinfonia is supporting a new initiative at the Gatehouse Centre, Royal Children’s Hospital. We have contributed $8,000 which comprises money we have raised from our concerts over recent years.
The project will involve Gatehouse developing educational and training resources to be used for individual and group sessions, to prepare traumatised and vulnerable young people for a happier and safer future. Feedback from a recent trial was overwhelmingly positive. Benefits to patients will include increased awareness of issues relating to sexual exploitation, violence and sexual health; education about healthy relationships, safety and consent; an opportunity to address past trauma in a safe, non-threatening, therapeutic environment; and fewer presentations to RCH emergency.
A core element of the project will be working with services in Melbourne that support ‘at risk’ youth, such as juvenile justice, child protection and police. It is hoped that Gatehouse will help deliver this program to other RCH departments, and across the state and nationally.
On behalf of the orchestra and Gatehouse, thank you to all of our supporters, both past and present, who have contributed to this valuable project.