By Callum Ludwig
Afterschool entertainment can be hard to organsie at home, but Cire is giving families an upgrade on at-home activities with the Level Up program.
The Level Up program is held once a week in Yarra Junction, Yarra Glen and Chirnside Park and has become a hit with kids who can’t wait to hang out.
Community Hubs Manager Jenelle Strachan said the free sessions have pizza, video games, board games and craft activities each week.
“Level Up was designed to give the not so sporty kids something to do after school, hence why it started with video games, but we’ve opened it up to craft activities, board games,Lego and whatever they’re interested in,” she said.
“We keep it free so that it’s accessible, if we put a dollar value on it excludes some kids and we want it to be very inclusive. We rely on grants, sponsorship and fundraising to keep this program alive.”
The free pizza was definitely a favourite aspect, generously donated by Dom at Dominos Pizza in Lilydale who supplies 13 pizzas and garlic bread each week to the Chirnside Park Community Hub. At Yarra Junction and Yarra Glen, attendees get toaasted sandwiches, chips and fruit as well so kids can always make sure they get a good feed.
Ms Strachan said it has really helped kids improve their social skills, which were sometimes lacking after the Covid lockdowns.
“We have Diploma of Community Service students helping the kids navigating if they’re having issues or if they’re not sharing properly and providing a one on one approach with the kids to help them socialise with other people,” she said.
“We have different children from different schools coming, it gives them that outlet to socialise with other kids from different backgrounds and we very much like the amount of friendships they have all formed with each other.”
Yarra Junction’s Level Up session is held every Monday at the Cire Community Hub at 2463 Warburton Highway, Yarra Junction from 3.40pm – 5.00pm for 8-13 years old.
The Yarra Glen and District Living and Learning Centre at 12/14 Anzac Avenue, Yarra Glen hosts a Tuesday session from 3.40pm – 5.00pm for 8-13 years old.
The Chirnside Park Community Hub at 33 Kimberley Drive Chirnside Park sessions are on Thursdays, one from 3.40pm – 5.00pm for 8-13 years old and from 5.00pm – 6.30pm for 13 to 17 years old, a session which started this year.
Social worker Jessy While was lending a helping hand in the program and said it gives kids an opportunity to do activities they might not always be able to do.
“We do lots of craft and play different games, and they are allowed to make a mess and have a space to do that, I have kids come on Thursdays and tell me how they look forward to Thursdays,” she said
“I speak to a lot of parents when they come and drop off or pick kids up and they say they love that they are able to grateful to have a space for them to be a bit messy or noisy but to have fun and socialise with other kids.”
Anyone interested can call 1300 835 235 to book a place in their local Level Up program.
Ms Strachan said it also shows kids that their Community Hubs are a safe place to come.
“It helps the parents if they’re working mums or dads and they can’t get to the school to pick up the kids. A lot of kids from Chirnside Park Primary School walk down to us and stay here till 5pm, so it gives parents some freedom as well,” she said.
“We’re establishing connections with them at a young age that they can come back to us when they’re in need, we have food hampers if families are struggling and I think opening it up for the senior age group is fantastic as it helps with the transitional period and socialising in high school.”
