Nurture Works Foundation’s BUILD UP ZONE set to expand with YouthCARE now program owner

A initiative created in Busselton aimed at improving children’s resilience is set to expand to other parts of the state under new owners. The Nature Works Foundation recently handed over ownership of its BUILD UP ZONE programs to YouthCARE, which will see it take responsibility for the development and delivery of the initiative. Nature Works chair Kim Evans said the change would provide an opportunity for its expansion into more school. “The board, when approached to consider such a possibility, agreed to the move in the knowledge that with the pressures placed upon children today from all facets of society and their need for targeted support, it was vitally important to allow the BUZ programs to continue to grow and flourish beyond what we, as a locally based not-for-profit group, could provide,” he said. It was started in 2001 by Busselton resident Steve Heron to nurture and expand children’s social and emotional skills, with in and out of scho initiatives, as well as holiday camps, school shows, parenting workshops and educational materials. YouthCARE head of programs Darlene Herbert said the organisation was thankful for the opportunity to continue the work of Nature Works. “We believe in the BUZ program and are looking forward to sharing its benefits in even more schools throughout WA,” she said.