About Us
What We Do
Hello! We're Australia’s leading Young Carer organisation, supporting young people who provide unpaid care for a family member affected by disability, chronic or mental illness, substance use or frail age, in VIC, NSW and QLD. Since our launch in 2009, we've become a game changing force in the Young Carer space, developing internationally recognised best practice programs and changing the lives of thousands of Young Carers around Australia.
Across a range of direct support programs, both in-person and online, we're working to improve the quality of life of Young Carers across five key areas of risk: education, employment, mental and physical health, social wellbeing and financial literacy.
Our Executive Team
Maddy
Founder and CEO
Erin
Chief of Staff
Kelly
Chief Operations and Partnerships Officer
Lindsay
Executive Manager (QLD and NSW)
Lucy
Executive Manager (VIC)
Jasmine
Marketing and Communications Manager
Callum
Young Carer Wellbeing Hub Manager
Daisy
Chief Barketing Officer
Our Board
Geraldine Johns-Putra: Chair
Principal Lawyer at Geraldine Grace, Chief Legal and Data Officer, Company Secretary at Coast 4C
Ben Spooner: Treasurer and Deputy Chair
Chief Operating Officer at St John of God Accord
Tom Levi GAICD: Immediate Past Chair
Principal at Nous Group
Dana Rochwerger
Digital Performance Marketer at Bega Group, Co-Founder at Not a Pony
Rachel Ficinus
Director Bereavement Services at Red Nose Australia
Josie Camilleri
Parent of Little Dreamers participants, Director at various projects
Eloise Modun
Director, Strategic Advisory at Slattery
Madeline Greer: Secretary
Principal Designer - Community Experience at Hireup
Young Carer Advisory Committee
YCAC members (ages 16-25) use their lived or living experience as Young Carers to shape Little Dreamers' programming and policies, and contribute to advocacy and research around Australia.
Jacqueline
Little Dreamers Young Carer Voice Lead
Aristea
VIC
Eve
QLD
Kyra
VIC
Sankara
VIC
Sebastian
SA
Valentina
NSW
Zohaib
VIC
Our Ambassadors
Elise Pulbrook
Dena Kaplan
Ariel Kaplan
Gemma-Ashley Kaplan
Our Advocates
"Young Carers are some of the most resourceful and resilient people around. Heavy responsibilities rest on their shoulders and they face and overcome challenges, often daily, that most adults would struggle to solve. We should champion all children and young people in caring roles, recognise their talent and support them to have the choices and freedom that the rest of us take for granted."
"There is an emerging consensus that around 10% of children and young people are Young Carers. They are involved in various caring roles for an ill or disabled relative/parent in their family, such as showering them, helping them to the toilet, keeping an eye on them, etc. These children represent a hidden army of young people who are also family carers. They will be on your street, in your community, in your schools . . . . can you see them yet?"
"If you’re a young adult caregiver, I implore you to share your story. Make yourself known. This may mean opening up to a friend, forming an online peer support group, or meeting with your state representative. Whatever you do, however seemingly big or small, is incredibly important in ensuring that the world knows that you serve an invaluable role as a young adult caregiver. Your acts of sacrifice are courageous and inspiring, particularly in a society that increasingly argues that today’s millennials are selfish and narcissistic. You are irreplaceable. You matter."