YouthCrew 2026 is underway and young people across the Bay and Basin are already getting to work.
At our first gathering, young people came together not just to share ideas, but to shape what the year ahead will actually look like. The energy in the room was clear: this is a year for doing, turning ideas into something real.
What Matters to Young People
We started with a simple question:
What do you care about in your community?
The answers were thoughtful and consistent: environment, inclusion, accessibility, equity, and making sure everyone has a voice.
These priorities are now guiding what YouthCrew will focus on in 2026.
As one young person shared, “We don’t just want to talk about ideas, we want to actually do something with them.”
Learning and Moving Forward
Returning members reflected honestly on last year. There were strong connections and meaningful conversations but a shared feeling that it’s time to take things further.
That reflection has shaped a new approach, with a stronger focus on building, testing and delivering real projects.
What’s Changing This Year
YouthCrew is stepping into a more action-focused model:
- Monthly meet-ups to keep ideas moving
- Smaller working groups focused on real projects
- Clear actions between sessions
- More opportunities to connect with community members for support and collaboration
Young people have also identified skills they want to build along the way, including First Aid, Mental Health First Aid and public speaking.
This approach reflects Firefly’s commitment to backing young people as leaders in their own community.
Focus Areas for 2026
From those early conversations, four key focus areas have emerged:
Activities & Events
Creating more opportunities for young people to connect, have fun and feel part of their community.
Youth Map / App
Designing a central place where young people can easily find out what’s happening locally, making services and opportunities more visible and accessible.
Environment
A growing priority, with ideas already forming around regular clean-up days in Sanctuary Point and St Georges Basin.
Transport
An ongoing challenge, particularly around access and mobility, that the group is keen to keep exploring.
Stronger Connections with Community
A big focus this year is bringing young people and the community closer together.
Every second month, YouthCrew will host community connection sessions, creating space to share ideas, ask questions, and collaborate on real projects.
It’s about making sure young people aren’t just being heard, they’re actively shaping what happens next.
Already in Motion
It hasn’t taken long to get moving.
- Supporting Burton St Beats, a youth-led live music event on 26 April
- Early design work on the Youth Map/App
- Reflecting on past events like FADIC to inform what’s next
- New ideas, including environmental clean-ups, starting to take shape
Looking Ahead
The biggest shift this year is simple: a shared commitment to doing.
“Working on projects, taking action on ideas, making a change in community.”
That’s what YouthCrew 2026 is all about—building something real, together.
Want to Be Part of It?
If you’re a parent, community member, local organisation or business, there are plenty of ways to get involved:
- Join the conversation
- Collaborate on a project
- Support an idea to come to life
When young people are supported to lead, real change happens—and our whole community feels it.