A free barbecue at the Youth Express conference room on Saturday at 11am will kick start the celebrations. Young people are invited to come to the Bulwer Street venue and bring their friends to celebrate the week. 

Then they can head over to Maitland Gaol from 4pm to 6pm to enjoy a special Skirmish the Youth event, which is also free.

A colour run at Swamp Stomp will take the baton on Sunday between 10.30am and 2pm. Youth can get colourful at Fred Harvey Oval in Woodberry for a gold coin donation. 

The skate park will become a hive of activity on April 5 for a graffiti art workshop between 12.30pm and 1.30pm. Youth who want to attend must phone Maitland Neighbourhood Centre and book their place.

A community connect gala day will unfold on April 6 from 10am until 1pm at Maitland PCYC, thanks to House with No Steps.

Youth week will end with a range of activities including a Gabfest at Headspace Maitland on April 7 between 4pm and 8pm and an Indigenous film night at Maitland Grossman High School on April 7 between 5.30pm and 9pm, thanks to Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council.

A skate park graffiti art workshop on April 9 between 11am and 2pm will conclude the celebrations. 

Maitland council’s grants helped keep the events affordable for youth.

Community and recreation services manager Lynn Morton said it the event helped raise awareness about youth issues and gave young people a chance to express themselves.

She said some young people helped put the schedule together and their involvement was a worthwhile experience.

“Maitland’s young people are the future of our city and it is important that we support and encourage the contributions that they make to our community,” she said. 

“The Youth Week celebrations are an opportunity to showcase the many talents of our local young people and to hold events that are fun, safe and inclusive.”

To find out more about the activities and plan your celebration visit youthweek.nsw.gov.au