Support Group – Teens

The Teen group began in 2006, as parent members saw a need for teens to be involved in social settings where they could feel comfortable and be able to practice their social skills as well as opportunity for providing parents with support and information.  The Teen Group has been meeting for over five years. Currently we have 34 families on our database with approximately 13 regular members. The ages range from 13 to early 20’s.

We have scheduled meetings on the fourth Fridays of the month, except for December, January, school holidays and public holidays.

In even months (February, April, June, August and October) the group meets on the fourth Friday, at 7:30pm at The Nerve Centre, 54 Railway Rd, Blackburn.  Please note ASSN cannot act as carer at this venue.  

In odd months (March, May, July, September and November) the group meets on the fourth Friday, at 7pm at La Porchetta Restaurant, 187-189 Coleman Pde, Glen Waverley.   Responsibility for supervision remains with their parents.

You are very welcome to attend one or two meetings before joining ASSN.  There is no need to register, just come along and see if our group is what you're after.

The initial meetings were attended by a small group of enthusiastic parents that were keen to meet other parents and brainstorm ideas and share stories.  They quickly exchanged emails and began arranging social outings.

The Nerve Centre is an ideal setting as the Teens meet in the foyer area and then go for a walk with the older leaders to the DVD shop or get some take away food. It is great to see them so relaxed and enjoying one another’s company. The parents chat and catch up. We always share useful information. It is time that parents can talk openly about their experiences and everyone understands.

Some of the teens that were the first members have formed friendships and regularly meet on weekends. They invite each other to birthday parties and some have stayed in a motel for a weekend. Some of the older members have gone to the adult group and some go to both. The Teen Group is different to the adult group in that they don’t discuss topics in depth and there is more jovial banter and they can move around more.  We generally have one or two new members and some come again and some don’t.

The parents are a wonderful group that want the best for their children and are prepared to organise and accompany their teenagers to promote their social independence, as well as welcome and support one another. There have also been opportunities where parents have been provided with information that has assisted them in meeting educational needs or professional help. By being members, parents are always kept informed of upcoming talks or events that the ASSN are organising or aware of.

The most surprising and pleasing outcome of the Teen Meetings at Blackburn has been the teenagers responses. After the first few sessions they relax and look more comfortable. They are excited when they walk in the door and seem to enjoy themselves. They usually bring a game or cards to keep themselves occupied while parents sit at another table and chat. Some of the older boys have taken the role of making everyone feel welcome and talking to those that are quieter, or settling rowdy behaviour. They now speak of each other as ‘friends’.

The parents have been surprised how confident and happy their teens look in this setting when they know that at school it is a different story. Some have been given new hope by being involved in this group.

In the future we hope to continue to provide the monthly meetings and to promote them as providing a springboard for other social meetings outside ASSN. We will continue to welcome new members and to explore opportunities new possibilities.
 
Monthly dinners at La Porchetta’s Restaurant in Glen Waverley Shopping Centre (on odd months) provides opportunity for teens to meet and attend different venues, for example: cinemas, bowling, shopping, take away food or different restaurants.  Supervision is the parents’ responsibility.  Older teens and young adults may choose a nearby activity, while younger teens stay and dine with their parents.

The Teen Group is a supportive and welcoming group and most teenagers and parents immediately sense that they will be included and respected when they attend.