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
Carla
National Strategy and Development Manager / State Manager (NSW)
Emma
National Marketing and Events Manager
Cassie
Impact Measurement and Research Analyst
Cath
Virtual CFO
Amanda Shilkin
Virtual People Manager
Tasha
State Manager (VIC)
Tu
State Manager (QLD)
Nat C
National Carer Gateway Manager
Laura
Education Program Manager (VIC)
Nat M
Graphic Designer
Adam
Operations Coordinator
Taylar
Events and Fundraising Coordinator
Emma C
Dreamers Hub Editor
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)
Amanda
Family Support Worker (NSW)
Jennie
Education Program Manager (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
⭐️ We're seeking Young Carers aged 14-18 to join our next Big Dreamers program in VIC! ⭐️
🌈 Every 6 months, we have the privilege of welcoming 15 fresh faces into our Big Dreamers Program, equipping them with lifelong tools and skills and watching them form incredible friendships.
If you've seen some of our previous Big Dreamers photos + videos from retreats, workshops and graduations, you'll know that this is a pretty special program 🥰 and we can't wait for our next one beginning mid year!
To register your interest, contact Yuval 📧 yuval@littledreamers.org.au
#LDDreamBig
☀️ Maddy and Gee met with Carers NT today in sunny Darwin to discuss support for Young Carers in the Northern Territory.
Check out their amazing couch that was hand painted by Young Carers! 🎨
Thanks so much John and Jane for having us! 🙌
#LDDreamBig
👋 Meet your trivia hosts, Adam and Symon!
Adam and Symon have been a regular fixture on Aussie TV screens since 2015 when they made their debut on ‘Gogglebox’ 📺
The duo were approached for casting five years ago while they were out at a pub, and their relatable quips and funny commentary made them fan favourites for 10 seasons until they left the show in 2019.
🎙 Since then, they have maintained a presence with their own podcast called The Adam & Symon Show.
In March 2020, they made their return to the small screen, landing their own show on Fox Footy called ‘Premierships and Footy Trips’ that involved them interviewing AFL stars ⭐️ Most recently, you could also catch them on I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!’
We have limited tickets available for the night! To register, head to 👉 bit.ly/LDtrivia21
Meet Isaac! ✨
Isaac is a supportive and caring brother to Asher, who was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma when Isaac was four years old.
Isaac's Dream Experience took him to Melbourne Zoo, where he had an up close encounter with a giraffe! 🦒
"The Dream Experience is a great opportunity to do something special for someone who doesn’t always get the chance to be recognised for the role they play in a family living with serious illness or disability. It was really great. Isaac had such a great day and it made him feel very special." ⭐️
#LDDreamBig
⭐️ Trivia Question 5 ⭐️
🤸♀️ Answer in the comments below (closest guess wins) and enter the draw to win an epic prize pack from BOUNCEinc containing 10 free passes for you and your friends!
🚨A reminder to grab your tickets before they're all sold out!🚨 They won't be available much longer...
Register here 👉 bit.ly/LDtrivia21
#LDDreamBig #TriviaNight
Meet Kyrielle! 🩰✨
She's a super supportive sister and carer to her older brother, Sylvester.
For Kyrielle's fabulous Dream Experience, she visited @code_dance and took part in a dance lesson with @happyfeetstudios_ 💖
She was then taken to @blochau to update her dance wardrobe! 👗
A big thank you to our accomodation partners at @crowneplazamelbourne, who also hosted Kyrielle and her family for the night to round out an incredible experience!
#LDDreamBig
