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About Us

Make Life Better

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. 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. It's our vision to create a world in which every Young Carer is supported by someone or something by 2030.

A young Maddy and her Co-Founder, Bec, sit proudly in front of a bright blue Little Dreamers poster the is pinned to the wall. The poster features our original Little Dreamers logo (a fairy silhouette holding a wand) and a collage of photos that are too small to decipher. Maddy wears a red beanie and a striped white off the shoulder top, and Bec on the right has long light brown hair and a fringe, with a light grey and pink t-shirt.

Our Story

Our story began when our Founder and CEO was just nine years old and asked the very question that still drives us today, “who cares for the carers?”

Maddy grew up caring for her younger brother, who had a range of chronic illnesses, and her mother, who was diagnosed with breast cancer. At nine years of age, she identified a gap in the support system for Young Carers and began to raise awareness through fundraising events and stalls.

Over a decade later and with more than 6,500 young people reached nationwide, Little Dreamers is Australia’s leading Young Carer organisation. Across a range of key support programs co-designed with young people in caring roles, we’re breaking down barriers and empowering youth, with a vision to ensure that every Young Carer around the world is supported by someone or something by the year 2030.

About Us

Young Carers

A Young Carer is someone aged 25 or under who provides care for a family member affected by disability, chronic or mental illness, addiction, or frail age.

We know from experience that being a carer can be an amazing thing. Young Carers often learn compassion, kindness and empathy from having a caring role, and develop an incredible bond with the person they care for. But being a Young Carer can also significantly impact on one’s education, social life, employment and mental and physical health. That’s where we come in!

Did you know?

  • It’s estimated that 1 in 10 young people in Australia are carers
  • Young Carers are twice as likely to be disengaged from work or study than their peers
  • Carers have higher rates of poverty than non carers
  • 2 in 3 Young Carers experience mental health challenges
More statistics

Our Team

Maddy's Headshot
Maddy

Founder and CEO

Brett's Headshot
Brett

Operations Director

Emma's Headshot
Emma

National Marketing and Communications Manager

Nick's Headshot
Nick

Partnerships and Fundraising Manager

Veronica's Headshot
Veronica

Head of Program Design

Laura's Headshot
Laura

State Manager (VIC)

Tasha's Headshot
Tasha

Family Support Work Manager

Mary's Headshot
Mary

State Manager (NSW)

Lindsay's Headshot
Lindsay

State Manager (QLD)

Erin's Headshot
Erin

Executive Assistant

Olivia's Headshot
Olivia

Volunteer Coordinator

Jess's Headshot
Jess

Operations Manager

Natalie's Headshot
Natalie

National Branding and Communications Manager

Amber's Headshot
Amber

Senior Intake and Support Coordinator (VIC)

Mel's Headshot
Mel

Intake & Support Coordinator (VIC)

Amanda's Headshot
Amanda

Family Support Worker (VIC)

Monika's Headshot
Monika

Family Support Worker (Geelong)

Richard's Headshot
Richard

Senior Intake and Support Coordinator (QLD)

Kathryn's Headshot
Kathryn

Intake & Support Coordinator (QLD)

Beck's Headshot
Beck

Family Support Worker (QLD)

Tahnee's Headshot
Tahnee

Intake and Support Coordinator (NSW)

Fang's Headshot
Fang

Family Support Worker (NSW)

Alycia's Headshot
Alycia

Teens and Young Adults Portfolio Lead

Brooke's Headshot
Brooke

Respite Portfolio Lead

Rachel's Headshot
Rachel

Education and Employment Portfolio Lead

Kyle's Headshot
Kyle

Lived Experience Lead

Amy L's Headshot
Amy L

Facilitator Lead

Benita's Headshot
Benita

Community Engagement Coordinator (QLD)

Dee's Headshot
Dee

Regional Program Coordinator (QLD)

Janine's Headshot
Janine

Community Engagement Coordinator (NSW)

Dog
Daisy

Chief Barketing Officer

Our Board

Tom Levi GAICD: Chair's Headshot
Tom Levi GAICD: Chair

Principal at Nous Group

Michael Gilbert: Treasurer's Headshot
Michael Gilbert: Treasurer

Senior Finance Business Partner at Australia Post

Dana Rochwerger's Headshot
Dana Rochwerger

Co-Founder at Not a Pony, Head of Digital and Funday Sweets

Rosie Thomas OAM's Headshot
Rosie Thomas OAM

Co-Founder of PROJECT ROCKIT

Darren Lomman's Headshot
Darren Lomman

Business Owner

Our Ambassadors

Elise Pulbrook's Headshot
Elise Pulbrook

Dena Kaplan's Headshot
Dena Kaplan

Ariel Kaplan's Headshot
Ariel Kaplan

Gemma-Ashley Kaplan's Headshot
Gemma-Ashley Kaplan

Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group

Bonnie's Headshot
Bonnie

Chris's Headshot
Chris

Daniel's Headshot
Daniel

Lulu's Headshot
Lulu

Nicole's Headshot
Nicole

Numa's Headshot
Numa

Philippa's Headshot
Philippa

Stephanie's Headshot
Stephanie

Seb's Headshot
Seb

Little Dreamers Australia

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Our Advocates

Little Dreamers

"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."

Little Dreamers

"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?"

Little Dreamers

"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."

Larapinta Trek Day 5 πŸŒ…

On our third day of Trekking, we rose well before the sun to climb to the summit of Mount Sonder and watch the spectacular sunrise 😍

The mountain is known traditionally as Rwetyepme – in local Arrernte culture she’s portrayed as a pregnant woman forever doomed to lay on her back and watch the sky.

It’s an experience we’ll definitely never forget, so challenging but so worth the end result!

Support the Trek πŸ‘‰ littledreamers-larapinta-2023.inadv.com.au

#Larapinta #Larapinta2023 #LittleDreamers #YoungCarers
...

Larapinta Day 4 / Trek Day 2! πŸ’ͺ

On Monday, the second day of our Trek, we weaved our way from the Finke River to Ormiston Gorge through rolling limestone hills filled with unique plant life 🌿

The Finke is one of the oldest river systems in the world, and the local Arrernte name for this waterway gives the whole trail its name – Lhere Pinte (Larapinta), which means β€˜salty river’.

Check out the beautiful scenery in our Day 4 recap above 🏜

Support the Trek πŸ‘‰ littledreamers-larapinta-2023.inadv.com.au

#Larapinta #Larapinta2023 #LittleDreamers #YoungCarers
...

Larapinta Day 3: Our first day of hiking πŸ™Œ

We’re finally back with reception and able to share everything we got up to on our four day trek across the Larapinta Trail! πŸ₯Ύ

On Sunday, we began our adventure walking 10km from Geoff Moss Bridge to Wallaby Gap.

We took in the beautiful land of the Arrente people, vast stretches of caterpillar rock formations, Australian flora and fauna, and vibrant red dirt.

We then settled into our campsite for the next three nights days, amongst the luminescent red rocks of Glen Helen Gorge 😍

What a week it was, and we can’t wait to show you more!

Support the Trek πŸ‘‰ littledreamers-larapinta-2023.inadv.com.au

#Larapinta #Larapinta2023 #LittleDreamers #YoungCarers
...

Day 2 of our Larapinta Adventure! ✈️🏜

Yesterday we had a day free to explore Alice Springs before the hike begins! We were blown away by the history of this town and the beautiful landscapes AND, it’s just the beginning of learning about the many special things Central Australia has to offer 🀩

In the evening, we had a team briefing, before team dinner and an early night 😴

Support the Trek πŸ‘‰ littledreamers-larapinta-2023.inadv.com.au

#Larapinta #Larapinta2023 #LittleDreamets #YoungCarers
...

Day 1 of our Larapinta adventure! β˜€οΈπŸ₯Ύ

Yesterday, we touched down in Alice Springs ahead of our 4 day hike of the Larapinta Trail. It was a beautiful sunny day for us to explore and get to know our new surroundings!

We kick off our hike on Sunday, and we’ll be keeping you updated each day with regular posts right here!

πŸ‘‰ Find out more and donate to our Trek: littledreamers-larapinta-2023.inadv.com.au

#Latapinta #Latapinta2023 #LittleDreamers #YoungCarers
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Don`t forget to mark your calendars and book for our Young Carers Festival QLD! πŸŽ‰πŸŽͺ There`s only two weeks to go!

Bring along your friends and family, explore the epic indoor playground at Area 51, get to know more Young Carers, meet and connect with a range of awesome community organisations, and enjoy loads of entertainment and food at this private event!

πŸ—“οΈ Friday 2 June, 6pm-9pm
πŸ“ Area 51 Brisbane
🎟 Young Carers attend free!

Book now: bit.ly/youngcarersfestival2023-qld
...

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