The following update contains information about Youth Projects services and operations.

From 8.00pm Thursday 05 August 2021, Victoria will re-enter lockdown. During this time, all of Victoria will revert back to Stage 4 restrictions as we work towards containing emerging clusters (see full list of restrictions here).

How does this effect Youth Projects services?

Most CBD services remain open, and all other programs and services revert to virtual in the meantime. Our HQ (Glenroy) and Youth Hub (Craigieburn) will be closed to the public and service delivery will be as follows:

Community Health

• The Living Room remains open with health, medical & crisis support still accessible. 
• Basic needs such as showers, laundry facilities and care packages are still available but limited numbers of people are permitted within the drop in space at any one time. 
• Throughput of shower and laundry facilities has been reduced to allow for cleaning between use. Screening protocols have been enacted at the front entrance.
• Night Nurses Outreach nurses still operating on the streets. No longer attending shared accommodation facilities. Screening protocols have been enacted. 

Harm Reduction

• Fixed Site NSP remains open and accessible. Physical distancing and no-contact measures remain in place.
• Foot Patrol remains active and accessible in the CBD, as well as our mobile NSP (NWOS) across Melbourne's north remain open and accessible. Physical distancing and no-contact measures remain in place.
• Youth AOD services for young people in the north western and eastern suburbs remain accessible. All face-to-face contacts have ceased – all contact is via phone, video call or email only. 

Employment & Training

• Transition to Work, Disability Employment Services, Community Traineeship Pilot Program, Youth4Jobs and Employability Skills Training will continue to operate, virtually/remotely.
• All face-to-face appointments will temporarily cease.
• Contact will be via phone, video call or email only.
• Crisis support through YHOP will continue to be co-ordinated by phone, video call and email.

The Little Social

• The Alfred cafe will remain open for takeaways only (6.30am - 3pm, Monday to Friday)
• Rosanna will remain open for takeaways only (7am - 1pm, Monday to Friday)
• Our Hosier Lane cafe will be closed.

Corporate Support & Head Quarters

• Although our HQ in Glenroy will remain closed, our corporate teams continue to work, remotely. Our phone and email lines remain open!

Masks/face coverings

All Youth Projects staff working on site or providing outreach services have been directed to wear face masks at all times when undertaking work duties. All people accessing services will be required to wear a face mask, unless they have an exemption.

Staff reserve the right to refuse entry to any person, client or stakeholder, to our premises, or surrounding areas (including move on orders), to ensure the safety of our people.  Our teams are working with people in very difficult circumstances and refusal will only come as a last resort – but a safe workplace for our staff and people accessing services is paramount. Teams will continue to inform visitors on the latest restrictions and are providing masks and face coverings to people accessing our services, where needed. 

Please be patient with our teams who continue to rapidly respond to the circuit breaker lockdown. Our people are our most valuable asset and we must ensure their continued wellbeing during these uncertain times.

For more information on the current COVID-19 restrictions and other updates, please visit Victoria's Coronavirus website.

News and information about COVID-19 is also available in 63 languages at SBS online.

This can be a difficult time to navigate, so please know that there is support available to you. Our team have put together a list of helpful links, apps and crisis information for you, or anyone you know, who may be struggling.