AN ORGANISATION founded in the Redlands has been recognised for its impact on community at the social services sector’s night of nights.
For almost 10 years, Traction for Young People has been empowering South East Queensland’s youth through mentoring and hands-on learning.
The organisation was founded in Capalaba by Sandy Murdoch in 2015, its first schools including Capalaba State College and what was then known as the Hemmant Flexi Learning Centre, before expanding to locations across Brisbane, Scenic Rim, Logan, Gold Coast, Moreton Bay, and Ipswich.
Traction offers children an alternative to mainstream school through practical programs where they work to complete their own meaningful projects, including building their own bikes and boomboxes.
“We modelled the program almost like a workplace environment to deliberately change the learning style and environment for young people who may not have been thriving in the traditional school environment,” Mr Murdoch said.
Participants work in groups of six, with each group receiving encouragement and support from two experienced mentors, ensuring rapport and trust is built among these small groups.
“You’ve got a group dynamic where young people can connect with others and build their social skills, connections and confidence, and discover a sense of belonging,” Mr Murdoch said.
“Our mentors build rapport first and then a trusting relationship with our young people, so there are conversations that can be had about things the young people might be challenged by or struggling with.”
“There are a lot more intensive conversations around what’s going on and they’re getting a person to listen to them quite intently,” added mentor Jim White, who has worked with the Redlands program since 2015.
“It gives the young people the opportunity to be heard, possibly for the first time.”
Traction was awarded the Community Impact Award at the Queensland Council of Social Services (QCOSS) Queensland Community Impact Awards, held in Brisbane on Monday, November 25.
QCOSS CEO Aimee McVeigh said the awards shone a light on exceptional people and organisations who are not often recognised.
“The community services sector is the strong backbone and the beating heart of both Queensland’s economy and our social fabric,” she said. “These are Queenslanders who are deeply committed to a vision of equality, opportunity and wellbeing for all Queenslanders.’’
Mr Murdoch said that being recognised by QCOSS was a real honour.
“When you’re working in this space, it takes a lot of energy and resources, so to have the symbolism of recognition is very encouraging for our team, particularly our mentors who are working alongside our young people,” he said.
Mr White added: “Having our grassroots in the Redlands and having that support from the community groups in the Redlands, we can take this award back to them and thank them from the bottom of our hearts.
“Without their backing, we wouldn’t have achieved what we have.”
