By Olivia Condous
A program to help autistic young people in the western suburbs make social connections and gain new skills is making a call out for mentors.
The Lab Network is a national not-for-profit organisation that runs community sessions, where young people who identify as being on the autism spectrum can play games and learn new technologies in a social environment.
The organisation is currently seeking more mentors to work with the Caroline Springs branch of the program.
The Lab Network national coordinator Alan Morgans said those who worked with the program found it “incredibly rewarding”.
“It’s proved to be a really popular program that supports autistic young people to engage in a really supportive, positive social experience,
“Kids who come to Lab sessions really enjoy their time there, it’s exciting and fun to be a part of that and to be providing that great opportunity for the young people on the spectrum,” Mr Morgans said.
The sessions are aimed at neurodivergent young people between eight to twenty years of age, to engage them by playing video games and board games or teaching them technology skills like coding.
“We started the Lab in Caroline Springs late last year and it was incredibly popular, we developed a really strong group of participants really early,” Mr Morgans said.
“We’ve been desperate to restart the sessions and there’s such a strong demand in the community around Melton and Caroline Springs,
“We’re really keen to locate a couple of young people who are interested in joining us as mentors.”
Mentoring for the Lab Network is a paid opportunity and individuals who are passionate about gaming, coding, design or technology and who want to make a difference in young people’s lives are encouraged to apply.
Details: thelab.org.au/
