The much anticipated ‘Chill & Chat’ will take place again at Metro Bakery & Café on Thursday, March 23 from 3:30-5pm as part of South Australian Youth Week (SAYW).
The free event is for people aged 12-25 and those in attendance will receive free food and drink on arrival and be able to chill out, play some games and listen to music provided by DJ Marcus.
Metro Bakery & Café will be closed for the event which is supported by StandBy Support After Suicide, the Mount Gambier Suicide Prevention Network and headspace.
headspace community liaison officer Nick McInerney said the three organisations were pleased to be able to partner up to offer the event for a sixth year during South Australian Youth Week.
“It’s always a really good atmosphere in the event … it’s just that like buzz around the place where you can hear laughter and conversations and things which is just really pleasing,” he said.
“It’s an opportunity for people to come in and get that sort of café relaxed experience and enjoy some food and drinks and things for free.
“It’s important that people are able to access that for no cost because that can be a barrier.
“It’s just an opportunity to chill, opportunity to chat to people and meet new people and hang out with their friends and enjoy some games and things.
“Anyone aged between 12-25 is welcome to come and we encourage everyone to come down if they’re available.
“We hope that providing events and things like this, people do become aware of services like us and the other services to utilise if they need to.”
South Australian Youth Week is the state’s biggest celebration of young people held over 10 days from March 24 to April 2.
Mount Gambier City Council, the Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre and the Mount Gambier Library will also offer activities for young people.
Mr McInerney said SAYW was an important occasion to “put youth at the forefront of what is happening in the community”.
“Sometimes they feel like there’s not a lot of stuff to do or stuff is not for them or about them,” he said.
“I think having a dedicated week to be able to provide activities and events and just a bit of focus on youth and young people is really good to show they are highly valued and a really important part of the community.”
