Juvenile Justice Big Up Program

July 16, 2011

Heaps Decent commenced our Juvenile Justice program, now known as Big Up,  in 2010 with partial funding from the Music board of the Australia Council. Starting off at Juvenile Justice Centres in Wagga Wagga and Lidcombe, the highly successful program continues to expand with more recent financial support from Arts NSW ConnectEd funding for Arts in schools.

The Big Up program focuses on music creation and appreciation skills, building confidence and self-expression. It aims to help at risk and Indigenous young people to find alternative ways to engage with education and become positive members of the community.

Big Up will take place at schools within Juvenile Justice Centres and schools for young people with behavioural challenges right across NSW.

The bi-monthly, three-day workshop program aims to reintegrate and inspire at-risk young people and addresses a clear need for opportunities for positive engagement for these young people in NSW.

Song writing, recording and music production are central to the program. There has been a marked increase in the young people’s engagement and confidence over the course of the project.

Heaps Decent is supported by the NSW Government through Arts NSW.