The Girls & Boys Brigade

The Girls & Boys Brigade has been providing a safe, nurturing space for local children and youths for more than 144 years. 

In an ochre-brick, white-topped heritage building on the corner of Riley and Arthur Streets, Surry Hills, is an oasis for disenfranchised kids and teens. It’s a place where they can find reprieve from danger, boredom, and mischief and instead find friendship, creativity, and hope. 

It began in 1882 when two influential newspaper executives recognised the vulnerability of young boys living on the streets of the inner city. They set up The Boys Brigade which provided a safe haven as well as entertainment and education in practical work skills. 

The Brigade evolved to include girls and offer many more services, helping literally thousands of youths and families across the decades. 

Today, The Girls and Boys Brigade continues to provide a range of services and programs free of charge to families in need in the City of Sydney catchment. They cater for young people aged 5 to 18, but can continue support in some instances beyond adulthood. 

Programs are designed around educational support, recreation, life skills, vocational workshops and tailored assistance for family challenges. 

The Riley Street building is a welcoming space for kids and teens who, for a number of reasons, find themselves bored, scared, or susceptible to temptation or danger in the hours between school and bedtime. Here, they can spend time with other people, play games and sports, be creative, or receive mental health support and specialised care. 

The Girls and Boys Brigade is not affiliated with any religious organisations, nor does it receive government funding. It relies on major donors, corporate partners, trusts and foundations and most importantly, on the generosity of the wider community. From November to January, the organisation is running a special appeal to raise money to help children heal from trauma.

"We are looking at the rise in cases of child maltreatment across Australia and how insurmountable the costs of healing from trauma can be for our families and communities,"  says Sarah from The Girls and Boys Brigade. “Through our service we are able to connect children with life-saving mental health support, trauma informed activities, and child psychologists and paediatricians to provide specialised care, especially during this time when children are particularly vulnerable." Please help this worthy cause by making a donation, especially during this time when children are particularly at risk. 

If you are unable to give money, there are other ways you can help. Visit the website for more information: girlsandboysbrigade.org.au