Bunbury PCYC's Hyperspace gets last minute funding reprieve

Funding from the State Government has breathed new life into a youth program that could have closed at the end of the month.

The Hyperspace program at PCYC Bunbury — that gives children aged 8 to 17 living in Withers a place to have fun and learn new skills — received $25,000 from the State Community Crime Prevention Fund and Community Safety Fund.

PCYC Bunbury centre manager Natasha Grosse breathed a sigh of relief at last week’s announcement of the funding.

“For us to be able to extend the program for another year is a lifeline,” she said.

“Theoretically, we would have run out of funds at the end of this month.

“The $25,000 funding gives our kids security, knowing Hyperspace is going to continue.”

The funding has also improved the quality of the program, according to PCYC Bunbury indigenous officer Gary Odine, because children will be split into age groups for more specific activities.

“Older kids will have more structured fun and learning, with more life skills information being fed to them,” he said.

“Whereas the littlies will have less of that and more focus on fun and games.”

Hyperspace activities include woodwork, welding, cooking, physical activities and a hot meal.

“We’re still learning as we go along, but we’re grateful for the opportunity to continue for another year,” Mr Odine said.

“We’re only just starting to build a rapport with the kids, it would have been sad to shut down.”