Health and wellbeing are one of Ladder’s key program pillars. Ladder Development Coaches work with each young person on Ladder’s unique program model (Ladder Development Programs - LDPs). This content supports young people to build their understanding and importance of topics like nutrition, self-care, sleep hygiene, as well as a range of physical activities.

Ladder also co-facilitates a number of sessions with other specialist local services like mental health supports or alcohol and other drugs (AOD) services.

Recently, Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley invited Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS) in Morwell to facilitate a session on alcohol and other drugs. We were also joined by the YSAS therapy dog Finn, who was warmly welcomed!

The participants were provided with information on how drugs and alcohol can affect their wellbeing and were educated on how to keep safe and make informed choices. Our young people were also given tools around managing peer pressure and how to support others who might be experiencing AOD issues.

The young people found the session very informative and non-judgmental. They felt that they were able to ask any question and they really enjoyed the interactive and conversation-style session presented by YSAS.

Thanks to YSAS for providing an important and informative session for our program participants.