Meet Kayla Spence, Youth Engagement Officer, Daylesford College
Image Description: Image of Kayla Spence smiling wearing a black floral jumper on a bright teal background.
Meet Kayla Spence, Youth Engagement Officer, Daylesford College
We'd love to introduce you to the amazing people who support Live4Life and young people in our communities. KAYLA SPENCE is Youth Engagement Officer at Daylesford College, Live4Life Hepburn.
When did you first hear about Live4Life?
I was fortunate to witness the pilot of Live4Life back in 2010–2011 as a resident of the Macedon Ranges. Seeing the program evolve over the years is not surprising, as even in its early stages, you could sense the passion behind the program and the logic of its model. Leading a Crew now, I sometimes have to pinch myself!
Why did you decide to become involved with Live4Life in your local community?
Live4Life is new to the Hepburn Shire, having started just this year. However, the groundwork for this fantastic initiative began a couple of years ago! This effort began before I took on my role as the Youth Engagement Officer at Daylesford College. Live4Life was championed by Daylesford College — the lead agent of Live4Life in the Hepburn Shire — Hepburn Shire Council and Central Highlands Community Health.
We are a regional community that is geographically widespread, and public transport is a barrier for young people, making it challenging for them to access necessary supports. The advocacy for Live4Life was much needed.
How does being part of the Live4Life Crew help young people's mental health and wellbeing?
In the Hepburn Shire, our exceptional Crew includes 13 Year 9 leaders at Daylesford College. What sets our Hepburn Crew apart is that Daylesford College serves as the lead agency, and the sessions are conducted during school hours. Daylesford College is fully committed and passionate about the program's success, and we have seamlessly integrated it into our curriculum. We are leading the way!
Being part of the Live4Life Crew is incredibly beneficial for young people's mental health and wellbeing. The initiatives are driven by young people for young people, which makes them highly relatable and effective. The initiatives organised by the Crew create a supportive and inclusive environment. By addressing mental health openly and proactively, the Crew helps reduce stigma and encourages open discussions about mental health issues. This can lead to increased awareness, understanding and support for those struggling with their mental health.
Name the 3 things you love most about your job.
*Making a Positive Impact: I love being able to make a positive impact in the lives of young people and the community. Whether it's through organising mental health initiatives, promoting diversity and inclusivity, or providing support and resources, seeing the difference our work makes is incredibly rewarding.
*Creativity and Innovation: I enjoy the creativity and innovation involved in my job. Whether it's coming up with new ideas for events and programs or finding unique ways to address mental health and wellbeing, I love the opportunity to think outside the box and try new things.
*Working with Young People: One of the highlights of my job is working with young people. I find it inspiring to see their passion, energy and creativity. Collaborating with them to create positive change and supporting them in their personal and emotional development is truly fulfilling.
Your favourite band/musician
The Smashing Pumpkins