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, 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
Nat C
National Carer Gateway Manager
Emma
National Marketing and Events Manager
Tasha
State Manager (VIC) (on Mat Leave)
Laura
State Manager (VIC), National Education Program Manager
Veronica
State Manager (QLD)
Mary
Interim State Manager (NSW), Community Engagement Coordinator (NSW)
Nat M
National Branding and Communications Manager
Taylar
Partnerships and Fundraising Coordinator
Jess
Operations Manager
Caitlin
People and Culture Manager
Olivia
Volunteer Coordinator
Hannah
Dreamers Hub Coordinator
Alma
Family Support Worker (VIC)
Miranda
Government Relations and External Affairs, Program Lead (VIC)
Amber
Family Support Worker (VIC)
Ebony
Family Support Worker (VIC)
Gee
Regional VIC Partnership and Program Lead
Yuval
Program Lead (VIC)
Kyle
The Young Carer Project Coordinator (VIC)
Tahnee
Family Support Worker (NSW)
Janine
Family Support Worker (NSW)
Katie
Program Coordinator (NSW) (on Mat Leave)
Krystianna
Program Coordinator (NSW)
Lindsay
Program Manager (QLD)
Benita
Community Engagement Coordinator (QLD)
Alycia
Program Coordinator (QLD)
Rebecca
Family Support Worker (QLD)
Kathryn
Family Support Worker (Bundaberg)
Dee
Program Coordinator (Bundaberg)
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 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."
✨We had the absolute pleasure of conducting a Dream Granting Day for @wtwcorporate Melbourne last Thursday at @creativecubesco Carlton!
WTW colleagues worked together in groups to contact organizations and vendors, preparing unique Dream Experiences for Young Carers right across Australia.
💫We had a blast and it was a wonderful opportunity for team-building and boosting staff morale.
A Dream Experience is more than just a day out for Young Carers. It’s an acknowledgement of all the amazing work they do to support their loved ones, and the chance to have a day that’s all about them! 🌟
📥 If you're interested in organizing a Dream Granting Day for your workplace, contact taylar@littledreamers.org.au today!
#LDDreamBig #LittleDreamers #WTW #dream #dreamgrantingday #corporatevolunteering #team #work #opportunity #experience #australia #giveback #community #staffmorale #YoungCarer #YoungCarers
SO! There's just over 1 month until our Victorian Youth Festival and we are JUST. SO. EXCITED. 🏆
Our official workshop guide is launching next week. From dance, to poetry, music, public speaking, art therapy, photography and more, there's a bit of everything for every young person.
Register for one, two or all three days for FREE here 👉 bit.ly/vicyouthfestival2022
#VicYouthFestival #YoungCarers #LittleDreamers #FReeZA
Come and find us at the @careexpomelbourne today and tomorrow 9am - 4pm at the Melbourne Showgrounds ✨
We’ll be here with smiling faces, lots of Young Carer information and our colouring wall 🎨
We absolutely loved Art Club last year, so this year, we’re introducing you to Story Club! 📖✍️
We're inviting Young Carers aged from 4 right up to 25 to showcase their writing skills.
⭐ We welcome any kind of submission! Stories, poems, reports, comics, blogs, scripts, etc.
⭐ Our first 50 entries will receive a stationary goodie bag thanks to ACCO Brands
⭐ All submissions will be featured in a Little Dreamers' Story Book launching this October!
Find out more and enter here: bit.ly/littledreamers-storyclub
Submissions close on September 30 2022 and our winners will be selected by a panel of judges and announced in Carers Week (16-22 October 2022).
Stay tuned, because we'll have a range of story writing workshops on the Dreamers Hub and Holiday Programs coming your way very soon! ☀️
#StoryClub #YoungCarers #LittleDreamers
Meet Lola 👋
Lola is 9 years old and helps to care for her sister, who has Autism, and her mum, who has a chronic health condition.
Her Dream Experience took her to Gumbuya World to do the Junior Ranger experience! 🐢
Here's what her mum said about the experience:
"Lola had an amazing weekend…she said “best day of her life ever!” She was the only booking for the Junior Ranger Experience so they made it extra special for her! She prepared food for many of the animals and fed them! Including the dingoes and koalas, she fed the reptiles and frogs and collected a heap of feathers from the birds. After the ranger experience, she spent the rest of the day at the water park and amusement rides. She took over 200 photos! It was also just lovely to do something as a family!" 🐨🦜
#DreamExperience #YoungCarer #LittleDreamers
Hands up if you attended our gala in 2017 🙋♀️✨
Here's a little flashback!
We’re so excited that tickets are now on sale for our 2022 Dream Big Gala taking place in October.
You can purchase yours at: bit.ly/dreambiggala (or head to the link in our bio!)
#DreamBigGala #YoungCarers #LittleDreamers