Earlier this month, Anglicare team member Nat Oliver, from our CYCLOPS young carer program, delivered her first session of Talk to Them training in collaboration with the Youth Coalition of the ACT. This specialised training is designed to equip youth workers with the knowledge, skills and confidence to recognise and respond to domestic and family violence (DFV) when working with young people.
Youth workers often serve as trusted adults in the lives of young people—providing a safe space when things feel uncertain or overwhelming. The Talk to Them training acknowledges this vital role and provides practical tools to help youth workers identify signs of abuse, engage in sensitive conversations about DFV, and respond in ways that are safe, supportive and trauma-informed.
Importantly, the training also focuses on how to make appropriate referrals to specialist DFV services while continuing to walk alongside young people as they navigate complex support systems. Continuity of care is crucial, especially for young people who are often hesitant to seek help.
We are incredibly proud of Nat for taking on this role and sharing her knowledge with the wider Anglicare youth team.
By participating in and delivering the specialised training, Nat and her colleagues are building a stronger, more informed youth sector—one that is better equipped to support young people experiencing DFV and to foster safer, more connected communities.
The name of the training was inspired by a young person’s powerful words shared with the ACT Children and Young People’s Commissioner:
“There’s always that one person I’ve noticed that’s warm hearted, that you’ll know, you’ll pick up on immediately. Talk to them.”
We are honoured that our youth workers are the warm hearted, “them” for young people during challenging times—and pleased that this additional training will increase their ability to help. We look forward to seeing its continued impact across our programs and the difference it will make in the lives of the young people we support.
