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 Team
Maddy
Founder and CEO
Erin
People and Culture Manager
Laura
Head of Programs
Tasha
Family Support Manager
Lindsay
Executive Manager (Carer Gateway)
Natalie
Branding and Communications Manager (Currently on Parental Leave)
Jasmine
Marketing and Communications Manager
Jacqueline
Fundraising & Events Manager
Kristie
Quality and Compliance Lead
Jacqueline
Young Carer Voice Lead
Amy
Peer Support Practice Lead
Tahnee
Coaching Practice Lead
Richard
Counselling & Intake Lead
Sara
Young Carer Wellbeing Hub Lead
Romi
Young Carer Wellbeing Hub Program Facilitator & Office Coordinator
Kirsten
Young Carer Wellbeing Hub Art Therapist
Amber
Young Carer Engagement Lead
Melanie
Young Carer Engagement Coordinator
Amelia
Family Support Worker
Lisa
Programs Lead
Bec
Programs Lead
Clara
Regional Program Lead (Lismore)
PJ
IT Administrator
Janine
Young Carer Support Coordinator (Peer Support) Sydney
Brooke
Young Carer Support Coordinator (Peer Support) Brisbane
Lucy
Young Carer Support Coordinator (Peer Support) Brisbane
Kathryn
Young Carer Support Coordinator (Peer Support) Bundaberg
Louisa
Young Carer Support Coordinator (Peer Support) Bundaberg
Lyndel
Young Carer Support Coordinator (Peer Support) Bundaberg
Chantell
Young Carer Support Coordinator (Peer Support) Toowoomba
Beck
Young Carer Support Coordinator (Coaching) Brisbane
Christina
Young Carer Support Coordinator (Coaching) Bundaberg
Ashleigh
Young Carer Support Coordinator (Coaching) NSW
Erin T
Young Carer Support Coordinator (Coaching) Toowoomba
Melita
Community Engagement Coordinator
Elizabeth
Volunteer Coordinator
Gurpavan
Young Carer Counsellor (QLD)
Josie
Young Carer Counsellor (QLD)
Niamh
Young Carer Counsellor (QLD)
Daisy
Chief Barketing Officer
Our Board
Tom Levi GAICD: Chair
Principal at Nous Group
Dana Rochwerger
Co-Founder at Not a Pony, Head of Digital and Funday Sweets
Darren Lomman
Business Owner
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."
🪩 Get footloose for a good cause! Little Dreamers is turning 16 — and you’re, like, totally invited!
In case you missed it, we’re throwing an ‘80s Prom-themed Gala Dinner to celebrate 16 years of supporting Young Carers. 💖
When: Saturday 17th May from 7 pm-11 pm
Where: Ormond Hall, Melbourne
Every ticket sold helps us work towards creating a world where all Young Carers are supported by someone or something by 2030, and your attendance will bring us one step closer to this vision.
There’s only 20 tickets left! Don’t wait - grab yours now at bit.ly/LD-turns-16 or follow the link in our bio.✨
⏰ Ticket sales end Wednesday, 7th May at midnight.
PS: Shout out to the LD staff for throwing us back with these fantastic photos!
🪩 Get footloose for a good cause! Little Dreamers is turning 16 — and you’re, like, totally invited!
In case you missed it, we’re throwing an ‘80s Prom-themed Gala Dinner to celebrate 16 years of supporting Young Carers. 💖
When: Saturday 17th May from 7 pm-11 pm
Where: Ormond Hall, Melbourne
Every ticket sold helps us work towards creating a world where all Young Carers are supported by someone or something by 2030, and your attendance will bring us one step closer to this vision.
There’s only 20 tickets left! Don’t wait - grab yours now at bit.ly/LD-turns-16 or follow the link in our bio.✨
⏰ Ticket sales end Wednesday, 7th May at midnight.
PS: Shout out to the LD staff for throwing us back with these fantastic photos!
Hey, Young Carers in Queensland — we want to hear from you!
We`re looking for 15–20 Young Carers (ages 8–25) to take part in an exciting new project to help shape how the Queensland Government listens to and supports Young Carers — and yes, you`ll be paid for your time!
You`ll join four online workshops between mid-May and mid-June, where we`ll explore creative and powerful ways for Young Carers to share their voices, express their needs, and share ideas for better policies.
Your insights will directly help build a model the Queensland Government can use to engage with Young Carers now and in the future. After the workshops, Little Dreamers will present your ideas and feedback to the Government — and you`ll be at the heart of it all.
Sound like something you`d love to be part of? Don`t miss out — applications close Sunday 11 May. 👉 Submit your expression of interest now by following the link in our bio!
(Queensland residents only. All workshops are online and accessible.)
Hey, Young Carers in Queensland — we want to hear from you!
We`re looking for 15–20 Young Carers (ages 8–25) to take part in an exciting new project to help shape how the Queensland Government listens to and supports Young Carers — and yes, you`ll be paid for your time!
You`ll join four online workshops between mid-May and mid-June, where we`ll explore creative and powerful ways for Young Carers to share their voices, express their needs, and share ideas for better policies.
Your insights will directly help build a model the Queensland Government can use to engage with Young Carers now and in the future. After the workshops, Little Dreamers will present your ideas and feedback to the Government — and you`ll be at the heart of it all.
Sound like something you`d love to be part of? Don`t miss out — applications close Sunday 11 May. 👉 Submit your expression of interest now by following the link in our bio!
(Queensland residents only. All workshops are online and accessible.)
With the 2025 Federal Election coming up this Saturday, 3 May, many Young Carers might be voting for the first time and asking: what does this election mean for me?
Well, we`ve done some homework so you can feel more confident heading to the polls by reviewing the major party platforms and highlighting what`s being promised for Young Carers and young people. Our guide looks at four categories:
⭐️ Support for Carers and Social Services
⭐️ Mental Health and Wellbeing
⭐️ Education and Support for Young People
⭐️ Cost of Living and Community Supports
Your voice matters and can help shape the future of Young Carers! Read more on the blog at bit.ly/know-your-vote or follow the link in our bio⚡️
Please note that this guide is not an exhaustive list of all of the major parties and independents` pre-election commitments. We encourage you to do your own research and use this guide as a starting point. For further resources, check out @theconversation.aunz Policy Tracker and the @abcnews_au Labor and Coalition election commitments.
With the 2025 Federal Election coming up this Saturday, 3 May, many Young Carers might be voting for the first time and asking: what does this election mean for me?
Well, we`ve done some homework so you can feel more confident heading to the polls by reviewing the major party platforms and highlighting what`s being promised for Young Carers and young people. Our guide looks at four categories:
⭐️ Support for Carers and Social Services
⭐️ Mental Health and Wellbeing
⭐️ Education and Support for Young People
⭐️ Cost of Living and Community Supports
Your voice matters and can help shape the future of Young Carers! Read more on the blog at bit.ly/know-your-vote or follow the link in our bio⚡️
Please note that this guide is not an exhaustive list of all of the major parties and independents` pre-election commitments. We encourage you to do your own research and use this guide as a starting point. For further resources, check out @theconversation.aunz Policy Tracker and the @abcnews_au Labor and Coalition election commitments.
"Lived experience is vital in enabling us to design and deliver tailored, nuanced programs. We also recognise that the Young Carer space is constantly changing, so it is essential to centre the voices of current Young Carers by embedding their insights into all aspects of our work."
Our incredible Young Carer Voice Lead, @jacq.dm, writes about "The importance of Centring Lived and Living Experiences" in our newest blog post. Read more at the link in our bio 💫
"Lived experience is vital in enabling us to design and deliver tailored, nuanced programs. We also recognise that the Young Carer space is constantly changing, so it is essential to centre the voices of current Young Carers by embedding their insights into all aspects of our work."
Our incredible Young Carer Voice Lead, @jacq.dm, writes about "The importance of Centring Lived and Living Experiences" in our newest blog post. Read more at the link in our bio 💫
This week, we were thrilled to welcome the Minister for Carers and Volunteers, The Hon. @rosspencemp, to our Big Dreamers Alumni Camp!
The Minister joined one of our powerful workshops exploring the impact of being a Young Carer, diving deep into topics like building healthy relationships, creating a support plan, and crafting meaningful, caring stories – not just the what but the why behind sharing them.
Our Young Carers felt truly seen and heard. They shared openly, connected deeply, and walked away feeling validated and empowered, knowing their voices are helping to shape change.
A heartfelt thank you to Minister Spence for her time, genuine engagement, and supporting this camp through Victorian Government funded programs, including Support for Carers and Additional Carer Respite. It means the world to our Young Carers. ✨
This week, we were thrilled to welcome the Minister for Carers and Volunteers, The Hon. @rosspencemp, to our Big Dreamers Alumni Camp!
The Minister joined one of our powerful workshops exploring the impact of being a Young Carer, diving deep into topics like building healthy relationships, creating a support plan, and crafting meaningful, caring stories – not just the what but the why behind sharing them.
Our Young Carers felt truly seen and heard. They shared openly, connected deeply, and walked away feeling validated and empowered, knowing their voices are helping to shape change.
A heartfelt thank you to Minister Spence for her time, genuine engagement, and supporting this camp through Victorian Government funded programs, including Support for Carers and Additional Carer Respite. It means the world to our Young Carers. ✨
You already know our 16th Birthday Gala Dinner is going to be epic… but let’s talk about our incredible celebrity guests bringing the vibes on the night!
🎤 Christian O’Connell (@mrchristianoconnell) - Host of Melbourne’s #1 Breakfast radio show on @gold1043 is serving as our MC! Expect plenty of laughs, quick wit, and the kind of energy that’ll keep the night buzzing from start to finish.
🎵 DJ Jodilly (@jodilly) - You may have seen her slay on Asia’s Next Top Model, but trust us - she’s just as fierce behind the decks as she is on the runway!
It’s all happening - iconic guests, delicious food, live and silent auctions, and the ultimate ‘80s Prom party! And the best part? Every ticket sold helps support Little Dreamers continue to improve the quality of life of Young Carers.
When: Saturday 17th May from 7pm-11pm
Where: Ormond Hall, Melbourne
Still need tickets? Don’t wait - come and celebrate 16 years of impact with us!
Get your tickets ➡️ bit.ly/LD-turns-16 or via the link in our bio!
You already know our 16th Birthday Gala Dinner is going to be epic… but let’s talk about our incredible celebrity guests bringing the vibes on the night!
🎤 Christian O’Connell (@mrchristianoconnell) - Host of Melbourne’s #1 Breakfast radio show on @gold1043 is serving as our MC! Expect plenty of laughs, quick wit, and the kind of energy that’ll keep the night buzzing from start to finish.
🎵 DJ Jodilly (@jodilly) - You may have seen her slay on Asia’s Next Top Model, but trust us - she’s just as fierce behind the decks as she is on the runway!
It’s all happening - iconic guests, delicious food, live and silent auctions, and the ultimate ‘80s Prom party! And the best part? Every ticket sold helps support Little Dreamers continue to improve the quality of life of Young Carers.
When: Saturday 17th May from 7pm-11pm
Where: Ormond Hall, Melbourne
Still need tickets? Don’t wait - come and celebrate 16 years of impact with us!
Get your tickets ➡️ bit.ly/LD-turns-16 or via the link in our bio!