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 with a disability, illness or addiction. Over the past 12 years, 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, socialisation and financial wellbeing. It's our vision to create a world in which every Young Carer is supported by someone or something by 2030.
Our Team
Maddy
Founder and CEO
Carla
Interim General Manager
Emma
National Marketing and Events Manager
Cath
Virtual CFO
Tasha
State Manager (VIC)
Tu
State Manager (QLD)
Nat C
National Carer Gateway Manager
Laura
Education Program Manager
Nat M
Graphic Designer
Adam
Operations Coordinator
Taylar
Events and Fundraising Coordinator
Emma C
Dreamers Hub Editor
Steph
Volunteer Coordinator
Miranda
Family Support Worker (VIC)
Amber
Family Support Worker (VIC)
Gee
Regional Family Support Worker (VIC)
Yuval
Big Dreamers Coordinator
Mary
Family Support Worker (NSW)
Tahnee
Family Support Worker (NSW)
Katie
Program Coordinator (NSW)
Alycia
Program Coordinator (QLD)
Daisy
Chief Barketing Officer
Our Ambassadors
Dena Kaplan
Ariel Kaplan
Gemma-Ashley Kaplan
Alicia Banit
Michael Short
Our Board
Michael Thurin
Board Chair |
Management Consultant | A.T. Kearney
Trevor Givoni
Clinical Psychologist | Department of Education and Training
Dana Rochwerger
Digital Acquisition Manager | Bared Footwear
Sally McLeod
Group Financial Controller | Forever New Clothing Pty Ltd
Zoe Nasr
People and Culture Director at Remedy Drinks
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."
Get ready for our Carers Week Trivia Night! 🎉✨
Gather your household, download Kahoot and hop on Zoom on Friday 15 October for an evening of tricky trivia, creative costumes and feel good fun 🕺
Register here: bit.ly/carersweek2021-trivia
#CarersWeek2021 #LDDreamBig
Check out our incredible cookie creations! 🍪🙌
We had so much fun decorating our delicious jungle themed cookies from Basic Batches for one of last week's online Holiday Programs 🦁
Thanks to @_basicbatches for supplying all the goodies!
#LDDreamBig
We’re looking for volunteer tutors to help Young Carers with their schoolwork 🌟
This role will also see you get to know your student, create a positive relationship and provide guidance on all things school related!
No prior tutoring experience is required.
Find out more at: www.littledreamers.org.au/online-tutor
Introducing the wonderful @lisacox.co 🙌
Lisa Cox is an award-winning media professional, author and public speaker who is actively changing the way disability is represented in mainstream popular culture. Her powerful combination of insight and experience makes Lisa a leader in conversations around diversity and inclusion.
Changing social attitudes, stopping stereotypes and rewriting the narrative around disability is what fuels Lisa’s mission to muse, educate, challenge convention and create tangible change in the way disability is represented in mainstream popular culture.
Hear from Lisa at our upcoming Virtual Breakfast With Champions event this Carers Week ✨
Register here: bit.ly/carersweek2021-breakfast
#CarersWeek2021 #LDDreamBig
Our Young Carers enjoyed a karate class this morning 👊 delivered by James Sheedy and his sidekick Allison from James Sheedy Personal Defence! 🥋
What a way to kick off our virtual School Holiday Programs in New South Wales 🙌
#LDDreamBig
Meet the facilitators leading The Young Carer Project in VIC! 🌟
They're passionate, positive and people-driven, and here to increase awareness and support for Young Carers in schools across the state 📚
And, did you know that our teacher training component is now available online? 💻 Making it even easier and more convenient to participate in the program.
Find out more about how the Young Carer Project works and nominate your school to take part here: www.theyoungcarerproject.org.au
#LDDreamBig #TYCP