Talent blooms in the face of environmental challenge
Published on 08 April 2026
Young people in Onkaparinga are transforming concern about environmental issues such as algal blooms and climate change into creativity, connection and hope through The Hope Sessions.
Delivered by Onkaparinga Youth at Reynella’s Base 10 Youth Centre in Reynella over 2 days during the December 2025 school holidays, The Hope Sessions brought together 12 young creatives to collaborate on original songs and video exploring their relationship with the local environment.
Working alongside music producer David Turley, filmmaker Ashley Pollard and City of Onkaparinga Youth Program Officer and musician Travis Demsey, participants wrote, recorded and filmed Returning to the Waves – a song that reflects young people’s lived experience of eco-anxiety while emphasising agency, resilience and collective action. A second song recorded during The Hope Sessions is now live on SoundCloud.
City of Onkaparinga Team Leader Youth Jenna Bloom said in the face of environmental crises such as algal blooms, communities – particularly young people – often experience feelings of powerlessness, anxiety, and grief, commonly referred to as eco-anxiety.
“Research into trauma and resilience consistently shows that small, purposeful actions can help restore a sense of control, competence and hope,” she said.
“The Psychological First Aid model highlights that even minor, achievable tasks can regulate emotions and counter feelings of helplessness by shifting the internal narrative from ‘something is happening to me’ to ‘I can do something.’
“When applied to environmental contexts, activities such as community clean-ups, creative arts, music-making and storytelling provide young people with tangible ways to respond.
“These visible acts of contribution help transform distress into purpose, rebuilding self-efficacy, connection and hope. Opportunities for hands-on participation in response to events like the algal bloom are not only ecologically meaningful; they are psychologically restorative, fostering agency, belonging and resilience.”
Travis Demsey said The Hope Sessions emerged as a rallying call for young people to have a voice in response to the harmful algal bloom affecting SA’s coastline, particularly within Onkaparinga.
“With the algal bloom as a central starting point, 2 groups worked collaboratively to harness their words and emotions, giving voice to the shared experience of young people and uniting around an environmental issue that continues to have real and ongoing impacts,” he said.
“Facilitated by David and I, The Hope Sessions involved the construction, production and recording of these group songs, and the process was documented by 3 emerging videographers – averaging just 15 years of age – led by producer Ashley Pollard.
“Drawing on participant feedback around wellbeing, environmental uncertainty, and the challenges of the world they’re growing up in, The Hope Sessions became a powerful example of how art can be used to express authentic concern within a safe, supportive environment.
“Ultimately, the project demonstrated how creative, youth-led action can transform eco-anxiety into connection, purpose and hope.”