TOYS CHANGE LIVES is a workshop with a difference.
Our Mission: Reduce Recidivism in Indigenous Youth
The overrepresentation of Indigenous Youth in the criminal justice system is one of Australia’s most significant social problems. Indigenous Youth make up only 5% of Australia’s youth population, yet they account for over 52% of 10 to 17-year-olds in juvenile detention across Australia. TCL’s main mission is to reduce this rate.
Requirements
Because TCL has youth aged 16 and under, we require all our Volunteers and Staff to have a Working With Children Check. It’s free and easy to apply for online or at your local NSW Service Centre.
The Working With Children Check (WWCC) is a requirement for anyone who works or volunteers in child-related work in NSW. It involves a National Police Check (criminal history record check) and a review of reportable workplace misconduct.
The outcome of a check is either a clearance to work with children or a bar against working with children. If cleared, the check will be valid for 5 years, however applicants are continuously monitored.
Joining Process
After you have obtained your WWC, then it’s simply a matter of identifying what skills you’d like to share and we can begin to find you a task and a time-slot that suits both you and the TCL Team.
Some skill sets that we’re always in need of are:
- Woodworking Tuition
- Sewing Tuition
- Sewing Assistance with our ‘Lubly Cuddlies’ dribble cloths
- ‘Shop Attendant’ assistance on Saturday Mornings from 9am-12pm.
- Market Stall Attendants on Sunday mornings from 6am-10am.
Contact [email protected] to start the process to becoming a TCL volunteer.
Meet Our Team
Peter Boughey
Founder of Toys Change Lives
‘Pastor’ Pete has been a Chaplain at Grafton’s Juvenile Detention Centre (ACMENA) for over 14 years, and in that time saw the same youth come back through the Centre time-and-again. In 2014 Pete took it upon himself to offer these youths a project when they got out of ACMENA – building wooden toys in his garage.
Jai ‘Darby’ Walker
TCL Artistic Mentor
I come from West of the range, Mallanganee – my grandmother & my fathers’ country. I was born stomping my feet and with a paint brush in my hand. Nature and culture inspire me. My dreams really inspire me- things I see in my head visions. I’m always picturing stories in my mind. All of my pictures have a story that goes with them – everyone. I like to paint Aboriginal people, things from our culture, because I have a real longing for culture and knowledge – to learn and to share. I’d like to see more people notice Bundjalung talent. Actually, art from all over Australia, not just the Northern Territory.