30 January 2019
Media Release

This Young Carers Awareness Day, Little Dreamers recognises our Founder and CEO, Madeleine Buchner, for her ongoing work to improve the quality of life for Young Carers across the globe.

Madeleine, aged 26, was awarded on Australia Day with a Medal of the Order of Australia for her outstanding contribution to the caring sector.

At just nine years of age, Madeleine began organising fundraising events in her local community to support Young Carers.

This passion developed into a business plan for a not-for-profit organisation called Little Dreamers Australia, which this year celebrates its tenth anniversary.

“Little Dreamers strives every day to bridge the gap between Young Carers and their peers and ensure that no child is ever disadvantaged or left behind because of the amazing job they do taking care of others,” says Madeleine.

ABS data suggests there are 490,000 Young Carers in Australia. However, social stigma and lack of awareness means that many Young Carers go unidentified and unaided. Thus, these numbers are likely far higher.

Consequently, Little Dreamers believes that raising awareness is tantamount to providing adequate support services for Young Carers and their family members.

The focus of this year’s Young Carers Awareness Day, January 31, is mental health. Two in three Young Carers experience some form of mental illness, according to ABS data, making this a particularly pertinent issue.

In addition, Young Carers are far more susceptible to social isolation, financial and educational disadvantage, unemployment and poor mental and physical health.

Little Dreamers works one-on-one with Young Carers, towards our vision of ensuring that every Young Carer is supported by someone or something by 2030.