Stories of Change

Every young person who comes to Thrive & Connect arrives with their own strengths, challenges and story.

Some are struggling at school. Some are disconnected from their community. Some are navigating family challenges, low confidence or difficult life circumstances. While their situations are all different, they share one thing in common: potential.

Our role is to walk alongside them, build trust, remove barriers and create opportunities for them to experience success, connection and belonging. Through positive relationships, consistent support and meaningful experiences, we help young people see what is possible and develop the confidence, skills and resilience to move towards it.

The changes we see are rarely instant. They happen through hundreds of small moments when we see them turning up, building trust, trying something new, taking responsibility, helping others and experiencing success.

The stories below provide a snapshot of some of the young people we have had the privilege of working alongside. To protect the privacy of young people and their families, names and identifying details have been changed.

  • Taking the First Steps towards Independence -*Tahlia, 15

    When Tahlia first connected with Thrive & Connect, she was experiencing significant instability in her life. She was disengaged from school, facing challenges at home and struggling to see a positive pathway forward.

    Mentors quickly recognised a young person with determination, resilience and potential.

    Through a construction-based program, Tahlia was introduced to practical skills, employment pathways and positive role models. Despite ongoing challenges in her personal life, she continued to turn up, participate and make the most of the opportunities available to her.

    Over time, Tahlia began taking greater ownership of her future. She sought support from services such as Headspace, engaged in conversations about employment pathways and showed increasing confidence in her ability to navigate challenges independently.

    While many of the barriers in Tahlia's life remain complex, she demonstrated that with the right support, young people can begin taking meaningful steps towards a more positive future.

    Tahlia's story highlights the importance of providing opportunities, practical support and the confidence to believe that change is possible.

  • Developing Independence and Taking Responsibility - *Liam, 15

    When Liam first connected with Thrive & Connect, he was facing significant challenges in both education and everyday life. He had a history of behavioural difficulties, was attending school for only short periods each day and relied heavily on others to manage many aspects of his routine.

    Mentors recognised that beneath the behaviour was a capable young person who needed opportunities to build confidence and independence. Rather than doing things for Liam, they encouraged him to take increasing responsibility for himself and his decisions.

    One of the most significant areas of growth was his independence. Initially resistant to travelling on public transport, Liam gradually learned to navigate bus routes and manage travel on his own. He also began taking greater ownership of his wellbeing, organising appointments himself and becoming more involved in decisions about his future.

    Over time, staff observed improvements in Liam's confidence, problem-solving skills and willingness to accept responsibility. While his development continues, he has demonstrated that he is capable of much more than he initially believed.

    Liam's story highlights the importance of building practical life skills, fostering independence and creating opportunities for young people to experience success through their own efforts.

  • Leading by Example - *Tyson, 14

    When Tyson first engaged with Thrive & Connect, he had been disengaged from school for an extended period and was living in a challenging and unstable environment. He was energetic, confident and highly influential among his peers, but often struggled with emotional regulation, teamwork and following directions.

    Mentors recognised that many of Tyson's challenges stemmed from strengths that had not yet been channelled positively. Rather than focusing solely on behaviour management, they focused on leadership.

    Tyson was given opportunities to support younger participants, assist mentors and take responsibility within the program. Over time, he developed greater self-awareness, improved emotional regulation and a stronger understanding of how his behaviour influenced others.

    The change was significant. A young person whose behaviour once placed his participation at risk became someone trusted with responsibilities and looked up to by his peers.

    Alongside these changes, Tyson re-engaged with school, connected with community activities and developed stronger relationships with both mentors and other young people.

    Today, he is often one of the first participants to help, encourage others and contribute positively to group activities.

    His story highlights the value of recognising potential, providing responsibility and supporting young people to develop their strengths.

  • Finding a Place to Belong – *Jayden, 13

    When Jayden first connected with Thrive & Connect, he was 13 years old and significantly disengaged from school. He lived in an unstable home environment, had little involvement in community activities and often struggled with authority, accountability and emotional regulation.

    Despite these challenges, mentors recognised strong leadership potential. Rather than focusing on his behaviour, they focused on giving him opportunities to contribute, take responsibility and experience success.

    One of the most significant changes came after a conflict with a mentor. In the past, Jayden may have disengaged completely. Instead, he contacted staff himself, organised his attendance and returned to the program. This demonstrated growing resilience, accountability and trust.

    Over time, Jayden began taking on leadership responsibilities within the group. He welcomed new participants, supported younger peers and regularly assisted mentors with activities and planning.

    Outside the program, he joined a local football club and began showing improved engagement with school and community activities.

    While challenges remain, Jayden has developed stronger relationships, greater self-awareness and an increased willingness to take responsibility for both himself and others. His story highlights the impact of combining high expectations with consistent support and opportunities to lead.

  • Re-engaging with School and Community - *Ethan, 14

    When Ethan joined Thrive & Connect, he was largely disconnected from both school and his peers. His attendance sat at just 17 per cent and he spent much of his time isolated from others.

    Initially, Ethan rarely participated in group discussions, preferred to fish alone and was hesitant to engage with both mentors and other young people.

    Rather than forcing participation, mentors focused on building trust and creating an environment where he could engage at his own pace. Through shared activities, positive relationships and consistent support, Ethan gradually became more confident and connected.

    As his confidence grew, he began contributing to group discussions, building friendships and supporting younger participants. He developed a strong sense of pride in being part of the program and regularly wore his Thrive & Connect fishing shirt in the community.

    A significant milestone occurred when Ethan attended a full day of school for the first time in more than four months. School staff later reported ongoing improvements in his attendance, engagement and overall wellbeing.

    Today, Ethan continues to build confidence, strengthen relationships and explore education pathways that better suit his needs. His story demonstrates how belonging, trust and positive relationships can support young people to reconnect with education and community.

  • Building Independence One Step at a Time - *Mason, 12

    DescriptioWhen Mason joined Thrive & Connect, he was a 12-year-old who struggled with independence, emotional regulation and peer relationships. He relied heavily on adults, became frustrated when things didn't go his way and often sought attention through challenging behaviours.

    Rather than doing things for him, mentors focused on helping Mason discover what he was capable of doing for himself. Everyday activities such as shopping, meal preparation and group responsibilities became opportunities to build confidence, problem-solving skills and independence.

    Over time, significant changes were observed. Mason became more willing to make decisions, take responsibility and contribute to group activities. He showed improved emotional regulation, greater resilience when facing challenges and increased confidence in his ability to complete tasks independently.

    He also developed stronger relationships with his peers, showing greater empathy, cooperation and engagement in group activities. For the first time, he participated in an activity independently without relying on a sibling or family member to be present.

    His mother later shared that he looked forward to every session and would often remind her about program days from the moment he woke up.

    Mason's story demonstrates how consistent support, clear expectations and opportunities to build independence can help young people develop confidence in their own abilities.

These are just a few of the young people we have had the opportunity to walk alongside. Their stories remind us that when young people experience genuine connection, consistent support and opportunities to contribute, they begin to see themselves differently and recognise what is possible for their future.