Heaps Decent is an Australian organisation empowering young people to express their creativity through music and multi-media.
We increase arts access and opportunity, providing mobile and online production resources and collaboration with professional artists. We support the development of exciting new work with a unique identity. 
hey (at) heapsdecent.com

YOUTH JUSTICE ‘BIG UP’ PROGRAM

June 22, 2022

Heaps Decent commenced our Youth Justice program, now known as Big Up, in 2010. Starting off at Youth Justice Centres in Wagga Wagga and Lidcombe, the highly successful program continues to work at centres Reiby Youth Justice in Campbelltown, Cobham Youth Justice in St Mary’s, Bimberi Youth Justice in the ACT, and Riverina Youth Justice in Wagga Wagga.

We thank the Australian Government’s Youth Action Projects Grant Scheme for supporting the Big Up project after the delays of COVID. We have been able to resume must needed activities as a result in 2022.

The Big Up program focuses on music creation and appreciation skills, building confidence and self-expression. It aims to help at-risk  young people to find alternative ways to engage with education and become engaged members of the community. The project takes place at schools and programs within Youth Justice Centres and schools for young people with behavioural challenges right across NSW.

The weekly workshop program aims to 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 in learning and confidence over the course of project delivery. A number of young people continue to create with Heaps Decent post release.

This mural was created with girls in Reiby Juvenile Justice Centre.

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  • Address: Level 3, 119 Bathurst Street, Sydney, 2000
  • PO Box: PO Box 213 Darlinghurst NSW 1300
  • Phone: 0437 978 813