Young people building skills, confidence and resilience

Plan C is partnering with Southern Downs Regional Council and Stanthorpe High School on a youth disaster resilience project designed with, not just for, young people.

Running from September to December 2026, the project brings Plan C, Council, school staff and students together to co-design disaster resilience learning that reflects the local context, experiences and needs of young people at Stanthorpe High School.

A key part of the project is creating opportunities for young people to have a genuine role in shaping and delivering the learning. Year 11 students will be involved in consultations and co-design before stepping into peer leadership roles during a one-day workshop with Year 9 students.

Learning with and from young people

The project begins by listening. Through working bees and consultations, we explore students’ existing knowledge and experiences of disasters, how they prefer to learn, and what areas of disaster resilience are most relevant to them.

From there, we work with Southern Downs Regional Council, Stanthorpe High School staff and Year 11 students to co-design the workshop and supporting resources.

The final workshop will bring Year 11 peer leaders together with 25 Year 9 students for a day focused on practical skills, scenarios, reflection and collaborative learning. Year 11 students will help set up and deliver the day, lead peer activities and support the workshop alongside Plan C and school facilitators.

Building capability beyond the workshop

For us, the project is about more than what happens during one day of training. By involving students in the process of designing and delivering the learning, we hope to build confidence, agency and opportunities for young people to share knowledge with their peers.

Following the workshop, Plan C and project partners will reflect together on what worked, what was learned and how this approach might continue to evolve.

In partnership with

Check out our updates as the project progresses:

Stay tuned…