About Us
What We Do
As Australia’s leading Young Carer organisation, we work with young people who provide unpaid care for a family member with a disability, illness or addiction across a range of direct support programs.
Over the past 11 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. From cities to rural farms, we work in every corner of Australia, ensuring Young Carers are never left out, forgotten or lonely.
We’re working to improve the quality of life of Young Carers right across the country, with an ultimate vision to ensure that every single Young Carer around the world is supported by someone or something by 2030.
Our Team
Maddy
Founder and CEO
Kat
General Manager
Tasha
State Manager (VIC) (currently on maternity leave)
Carla
State Manager (NSW)
Tu
State Manager (QLD)
Nat C
National Head of Programs
Emma
National Marketing and Events Manager
Cath
Virtual CFO
Amanda Shilkin
Virtual People Manager
Laura
Education Program Manager (VIC)
Cassie
Impact Measurement and Research Analyst
Nat M
Graphic Designer
Adam
Operations Coordinator
Taylar
Events and Fundraising Coordinator
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)
Katie
Program Coordinator (NSW)
Jennie
Education Program Manager (QLD)
Dee
Program Coordinator (QLD)
Daisy
Chief Barketing Officer
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."
Our Ambassadors
Dena Kaplan
Ariel Kaplan
Gemma-Ashley Kaplan
Alicia Banit
Michael Short
Our Partners
Donors
Ballarat here we come!!! 🙌☀️
We’re so so excited to see everyone tomorrow evening at our Ballarat Family BBQ event!
Come on down and meet Gee, Tay and the rest of the Little Dreamers team 👋 as well as fellow Young Carers and their family members. There’ll be prizes, games, food and fun - all in one evening! 🎉
If you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time! Head to 👉 bit.ly/LD-ballarat ✨
#LDDreamBig
Our Sydney Young Carers Festival is here! 🎉🎡
Join us in NSW Youth Week for a magical evening with the stars ✨ Strike a pose on the red carpet as you enter Madame Tussauds and snap photos with some of the world’s biggest celebrities! 📸
Tickets cost $10 per person, and Young Carers registered with Little Dreamers attend for free.
Don't miss out 👉 bit.ly/youngcarersfestival-syd
#LDDreamBig
Meet ✨@melliyu✨our fantastic final panelist for our upcoming International Women's Day breakfast.
With an honours in Psychology, and no stranger to the commercial world through her entrepreneurial endeavours, Melissa is a truly empathetic and inspiring speaker and leader 🎤
Melissa’s overall purpose is to leave others in a better position than before meeting them 💖 Having lost her late partner to suicide, Melissa harnesses life experience to advocate for causes relating to suicide an awareness prevention.
At 27, she listened to her gut instincts and took the plunge to start her own company, @mcoevents, and is also the Founder of @egoexpo_au, an annual two-day expo for independent and growing brands in streetwear fashion and urban culture 💪
We just can't wait to hear more!
Book your tickets here 👉 bit.ly/iwd-breakfastwithchampions (we’ve also got the link in our bio)
#IWD2021 #LDDreamBig
There’s just over TWO WEEKS left until Breakfast With Champions: Women of the Future ✨💖
We're so excited, we wanted to introduce a little competition for our followers...
Win tickets for YOU + ONE FRIEND to attend the event, and help us celebrate International Women's Day! 🌟These tickets include gift bags (you'll find pictures of these in one of our recent posts 🙈), breakfast and incredible and insightful discussions from five fierce women taking centre stage.
What do you have to do to enter?
⭐ Simply like this post and tag a friend who you'd like to bring along (the more tags, the more entries)!
Our winning duo will be announced this Friday at 10am - so get in quick!
Find out more about the event here 👉 bit.ly/iwd-breakfastwithchampions
Beanbags and Big Dreamers ✨🥰
Second time lucky! 🤞
We're excited to announce the new date of our Valentine's Family Picnic, which will now take place on Sunday 28 March from 11am-2pm 💖
While it's not quite Valentine's Day anymore, we think every day is a good day to celebrate those we love!
For those who have already purchased a ticket, these will automatically be transferred across to the new date 🎟 If you can't attend on this date, please send us a DM and we'll organise your refund!
Book at ➡️ bit.ly/LD-ValDay
#LDDreamBig
