Not a couch potato in sight at Darwin race highlighting youth homelessness
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There was no time to lounge around at Darwin's seventh annual couch surfing race, as more than a dozen teams converged to show off their skills, and their sofas.
From the former and current homeless to outreach advocates, people from all across the NT made the trek to the Top End to raise awareness for Youth Homelessness Matters Day.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the Territory has a disproportionately high rate of youth homelessness, accounting for 15 per cent of the nation's total figure.
"We're looking at between 4,000 and 6,000 young people aged 10 to 25 who, on any given night, are couch surfing, sleeping rough or homeless," NT Anglicare's Gemma Wood said.
"[It is] about thinking about those young people that don't have somewhere safe to spend each night."
Hundreds of Territorians cheered as children weaved in and out of obstacles, while messages of positive mental health, inclusion and respect adorned the plush couches.
Many cited the importance of ensuring young Territorians did not feel they were alone.
"It's important for youth to be connected with other young people and other support services," Carers NT respite advisor Ellie Julings said.
In the end, 'CREATE' — the Office of the Children's Commission — won the race, attributing their success to teamwork and positivity.
"I'm thrilled," Panadura Rosas said moments after winning the grand final.
"[The key to winning was] teamwork, communication … a lot of talking at the beginning of the race figuring out which way we're going in and out … a lot of tactics.
"There's [a lot] of youth that are homeless still in Australia, I was one of them."
Topics: community-and-society, homelessness, government-and-politics, social-policy, human-interest, nt, darwin-0800
