Little Dreamers

About

Way back in 2009, a 16-year-old Madeleine Buchner OAM (CEO and Founder), identified a gap in the healthcare system that should have never existed - who was caring for our Young Carers? A Young Carer is someone under the age of 25 who provides care for a family member with a disability, mental illness, chronic illness or drug and/or alcohol addiction. With two to three kids in every classroom in Sydney giving up their childhood to provide unpaid care to a family member, Young Carers are one of the four most at risk groups of young people in our community.

Little Dreamers is working towards an equal world for Young Carers, delivering programs aiming to improve their quality of life. Our programs have been co-designed with Young Carers and have been recognised as best practice programs by researchers and experts around the world. Little Dreamers delivers fun, empowering and proactive support programs to reduce the risk factors Young Carers face and increase their life opportunities. Running for 13 years, with almost 50 permanent staff and 300 volunteers across VIC, NSW and QLD, Little Dreamers programs have been developed by Young Carers for Young Carers.

Program donations fund:

The funds from Be Kind Sydney Day will assist Little Dreamers in addressing the extra support needed for Young Carers aged four to 25 in Sydney, NSW.

Little Dreamers aims to reduce the stigma around having a caring role and provide wrap around support for Young Carers within NSW. Our innovative, unique programs support Young Carers’ mental health and well being, increase their education and employment opportunities, support social inclusion and promote a sense of identity and belonging. The Dreamers Hub, an online peer support platform; in-person peer support; and the Big Dreamers Personal Development Program.

These programs target each of our five main impact areas - identity, health and wellbeing, social connection, education, employment and financial literacy. We believe in a world where every Young Carer is supported by someone or something by 2030.