About Us
What We Do
Hello! We're Australiaβs leading Young Carer organisation, supporting young people who provide unpaid care for a family member affected by disability, chronic or mental illness, addiction or frail age. 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, 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
Laura
State Manager (VIC)
Tasha
State Manager (VIC) (on Mat Leave)
Veronica
State Manager (QLD)
Mary
State Manager (NSW)
Emma
National Marketing and Fundraising Manager
Nat C
National Carer Gateway Manager
Jess
Operations Manager
Caitlin
People and Culture Manager
Erin
Executive Assistant
Nat P
National Branding and Communications Manager
Taylar
Partnerships and Fundraising Coordinator
Hannah
Dreamers Hub Coordinator
Olivia
Volunteer Coordinator
Miranda
Program Manager (VIC)
Amber
Senior Intake and Support Coordinator (VIC)
Ebony
Family Support Worker (VIC)
Kyle
State Program Coordinator (VIC)
Yuval
National Program Coordinator
Alma
National Program Coordinator
Gee
National Program Coordinator
Tahnee
Intake and Support Coordinator (NSW)
Krystianna
Family Support Worker (NSW)
Katie
State Program Coordinator (NSW) (on Mat Leave)
Janine
Intake and Support Coordinator
Lindsay
Program Manager (QLD)
Benita
Community Engagement Coordinator (QLD)
Beck
Family Support Worker (QLD)
Kathryn
Intake & Support Coordinator (QLD)
Alycia
State Program Coordinator (QLD)
Dee
Regional Program Coordinator (QLD)
Daisy
Chief Barketing Officer
Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group
Bonnie
Chris
Daniel
Lulu
Nicole
Numa
Philippa
Stephanie
Seb
Our Ambassadors
Elise Pulbrook
Dena Kaplan
Ariel Kaplan
Gemma-Ashley Kaplan
Our Board
Tom Levi GAICD: Chair
Principal at Nous Group
Michael Gilbert: Treasurer
Senior Finance Business Partner at Australia Post
Dana Rochwerger
Co-Founder at Not a Pony, Digital Marketing and Email Specialist at Delia Group
Trevor Givoni
Clinical Psychologist at Department of Education and Training
Rosie Thomas OAM
Co-Founder of PROJECT ROCKIT
Zoe Nasr
People and Culture Director at Remedy Drinks
Darren Lomman
State Manager at Hireup
Our Funders
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 youβre 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 todayβs millennials are selfish and narcissistic. You are irreplaceable. You matter."
Meet Sarah π
9 year old Young Carer, Sarah, enjoyed her Dream Experience at Mary Poppins the Musical with her mum! πΆ
"Sarah had a wonderful time at the theater and it was great to be able to spend 1:1 time with her. She had the biggest smile on her face all weekend! It was great to be able to spend the time and just focus on her. Thank you to everyone involved for making this experience happen." π
#DreamExperience #YoungCarer #LittleDreamers
Our Founder and CEO, Maddy, recently sat down with Joel from @livedexperiencepodcast to chat about all things Young Carers β¨
Maddy shares her journey as a Young Carer, through to starting a non profit organisation, and why it's so important that we recognise and support the Young Carers in our community.
We've come a long way, but we've still got a long way to go πͺ
Thank you Joel for having us on the podcast! Head to the link in his bio for the episodeπ
#littledreamers #youngcarers #youngcarersawareness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #thelivedexperience
Meet Jade π
Jade is 9 and cares for her sister, who has Autism.
For Jade's Dream Experience, she visited the Elephant Encounter at Melbourne Zoo, followed by an overnight stay at the wonderful Crowne Plaza Melbourne ππ
"Thanks so much for Jadeβs experience. She had the best time at Melbourne Zoo participating in the Elephant Encounter. We then checked into Crowne Plaza which was such an amazing stay. We had the best day exploring the city.
In Jadeβs words: β BEST DAY EVERβ
Thanks so much to Little Dreamers for giving our little girl such a great experience she will remember for a long time." β€οΈ
#DreamExperience #YoungCarers #LittleDreamers
Our Dream Big Gala is in less than two weeks and we are ALMOST sold out β¨
Spend a night under the stars to support Young Carers around Australia.
Hosted by @adamdensten and @symonlovett, with DJ entertainment, live music, three courses, cocktails on arrival and so many prizes ππ
If you're planning to purchase a ticket, consider this your final reminder π
Book now: bit.ly/dreambiggala
Meet Jordyn π
Jordyn is 8 and cares for her sister, who has a rare chromosomal disorder.
Jordyn's Dream Experience was a trip to SEA LIFE π β¨
Check our these gorgeous pics π₯°
#DreamExperience #YoungCarers #LittleDreamers
Introducing Safe Is Savvy episode 14: Cyber Harrassment π§
Bullying and harassment take different forms in the physical world - and the digital space is no exception π»
In this episode of Safe Is Savvy, Jayde Petrie from @projectrockit rejoins us to discuss cyber-harassment - how it differs from cyber-bullying, how to spot if itβs happening to us, and what we can do to protect ourselves online.
Itβs a worthwhile discussion on an increasingly pervasive problem online.
Spotify π spoti.fi/3uC3zAH
Apple π apple.co/3IJpTgY
Dreamers Hub π www.dreamershub.com.au/academy/
#SafeIsSavvy #YoungCarers #LittleDreamers