Anchor Youth Space Sydney is a place to feel understood and supported
“I feel welcome. This space is just for everyone”
17-year-old Jayce MacInnis has been a regular at Teen Drop-In on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons since November, when his older brother suggested he check it out.
The Sydney Academy student is in his final year of high school and is planning to get his first job when he graduates this June, and then attend university and pursue his dream of becoming an astronaut.
“One of my idols is an astronaut — Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon,” Jayce said. “My dream is to be the first person to walk on Mars. My mom tells I have a pretty ambitious dream but I’ve got a back-up. If I can’t be an astronaut, I’ll be a chef.”
Jayce loves cooking. His favourite thing to make is Kraft Dinner. He hasn’t taken part in any of the cooking classes in Anchor’s community kitchen, but he’s willing to give one a try. He spends a lot of his time at Anchor in the cozy lounge space where he can play the Nintendo Switch and spend time with his new friends, including the Anchor Sydney staff.
“I like the staff. They’re definitely welcoming toward people with Autism, like me,” Jayce said. “I feel welcome here and this is a space for everyone. Words of hate aren’t allowed here.”
Anchor Youth Space Sydney has something for everyone. Youth drop-in sessions offer a chance to hang out, have a snack, play some video games or board games, get caught up on homework, and learn about other services available, including counselling sessions, pre-employment workshops, peer support, anti-procrastination club and walk-in support services.
For Jayce, it’s a place where he feels accepted and can be himself, even when he’s struggling with his emotions.
“I have sensitive hearing and sometimes, because of my Autism, my social battery gets really low and sometimes, if I’ve had a stressful day at school, I just want to come in here and be alone. The staff knows about my Autism and no one’s ever giving me prejudice for it and neither have any of the other kids,” Jayce said. “Just yesterday, I almost got overwhelmed but I came in here and sat down before I crashed out.”
Jayce has especially connected with Al Cusack, Anchor’s Youth Support Worker and a fellow Trekkie and animé enthusiast. Al says Jayce has quickly become part of the Anchor community, welcoming new people and making friends with his peers.
For youth thinking about coming to Anchor Sydney for the first time, Jayce has some advice: “Don’t worry, Anchor is for everyone! Why shouldn’t it be for you?”
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