As we reflect on the 2022-2023 financial year, we are pleased to present our Annual Report, offering our community and partners a transparent overview of our activities, goals, achievements, financial performance, and future focus.
The central theme of this report is “Navigating Growth”. Over the past year, we have continued to consolidate the Youturn brand, charting a clear path and purpose in our persistent pursuit of supporting more people to improve their health and wellbeing, and to navigate life’s challenges. We have embarked on a journey of growing our demographic as well as our geographic footprint.
With unwavering determination, we have gained momentum, finding a like-minded community of partners and supporters who have joined us on this transformative journey, as we strive to realise the objectives outlined in our Strategic Plan.
We extend our gratitude to the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we operate, and we honour and respect their elders, past, present, and emerging. Our organisation is a safe space where the unique diversity of each individual is welcomed, recognised, celebrated and supported.
To stay updated on our journey, we invite you to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on our various social media channels. Together, we can make a meaningful impact as we continue to navigate our growth.
Challenge and change continue to underpin the need for our services. Australians are contending with stubborn cost-of-living pressures, and the prevalence of ill mental health continues to rise in our communities. And whilst the COVID-19 pandemic is beginning to fade from memory, its impact on workforces and people generally will be lasting.
To this last point, with many of us having introspected, so are many re-evaluating their lives. The impact for Youturn has been twofold. The demand for our services has soared, while the labour market remains the tightest in history. For an organisation that relies on people helping people, this is a challenge but one we are navigating effectively.
Our changed leadership is rebuilding our Employee Value Proposition, and we are exceptionally proud of new measures such as our Paid Parental Leave and Wellbeing Leave Policies.
We would like to thank Dr Tanya Bell for her six years of service with Youturn, most recently as CEO. Whilst there were many, her most significant contribution was championing our brand transition from United Synergies to Youturn in 2020. Since that time, our organisation has come to mean more to all who interact with us. We would like to thank Dr Tanya Bell for her contribution.
Challenge and change continue to underpin the need for our services. Australians are contending with stubborn cost-of-living pressures, and the prevalence of ill mental health continues to rise in our communities. And whilst the COVID-19 pandemic is beginning to fade from memory, its impact on workforces and people generally will be lasting.
To this last point, with many of us having introspected, so are many re-evaluating their lives. The impact for Youturn has been twofold. The demand for our services has soared, while the labour market remains the tightest in history. For an organisation that relies on people helping people, this is a challenge but one we are navigating effectively.
Our changed leadership is rebuilding our Employee Value Proposition, and we are exceptionally proud of new measures such as our Paid Parental Leave and Wellbeing Leave Policies.
We would like to thank Dr Tanya Bell for her six years of service with Youturn, most recently as CEO. Whilst there were many, her most significant contribution was championing our brand transition from United Synergies to Youturn in 2020. Since that time, our organisation has come to mean more to all who interact with us. We would like to thank Dr Tanya Bell for her contribution.
Challenge and change continue to underpin the need for our services. Australians are contending with stubborn cost-of-living pressures, and the prevalence of ill mental health continues to rise in our communities. And whilst the COVID-19 pandemic is beginning to fade from memory, its impact on workforces and people generally will be lasting.
To this last point, with many of us having introspected, so are many re-evaluating their lives. The impact for Youturn has been twofold. The demand for our services has soared, while the labour market remains the tightest in history. For an organisation that relies on people helping people, this is a challenge but one we are navigating effectively.
Our changed leadership is rebuilding our Employee Value Proposition, and we are exceptionally proud of new measures such as our Paid Parental Leave and Wellbeing Leave Policies.
We would like to thank Dr Tanya Bell for her six years of service with Youturn, most recently as CEO. Whilst there were many, her most significant contribution was championing our brand transition from United Synergies to Youturn in 2020. Since that time, our organisation has come to mean more to all who interact with us. We would like to thank Dr Tanya Bell for her contribution.
Confronted with a constricted labour market, we are formalising the contribution of our volunteer workforce. Through onboarding and training similar to that of paid staff, we aim to recognise our volunteer contribution in the 2024 financial statements. Quantifying volunteer contributions is vital, as it is a substantive indicator of how funding alone isn’t always enough to deliver impact in our programs.
Diversity and cultural awareness in our wider team continue to be a focus. Our Reconciliation Action Plan committee (RAP) is in the process of developing our Reflect RAP. This has been an impactful experience for the organisation as we build our relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations.
In FY 2023, we supported more than 16,200 people, with need rising noticeably in our mental health and suicide postvention programs. In addition, we welcomed two new Youth Enhanced services, one in the Darling Downs Queensland, and the other in Adelaide. Both provide youth-friendly, strengths-focused support to young people aged 12 to 25 with, or at risk of developing, a serious or complex mental illness.
Youturn’s national StandBy Support After Suicide program received a mention in this year’s Federal Budget. Continuous improvement continues to characterise our approach in StandBy, with our enhancement model soon to deliver specialised Suicide Bereavement Counsellors and a Peer Workforce in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and the Northern Territory.
Youturn and our headspace centres continued to innovate in 2023 through measures such as our partnership with University of NSW (UNSW) to trial the Edge of the Present virtual reality tool to improve mental wellbeing. And the completion and certification of our Tiny Homes project allowed several young, local families to remain in the community and gather support to obtain employment and permanent housing. Similarly, our Hume Street duplex in Toowoomba is almost complete. It will be a direct response to community need and will soon house vulnerable, expectant parents.
Housing will remain a Youturn priority area. Since 2016, nationally there has been a 54% increase in people experiencing homelessness. Whilst there is no lack of intent to address the issue with measures such as the Housing Australia Future Fund and taxation changes to the Build-to-Rent sector, local government approval processes and timelines remain problematic, and the building supply chain continues to be stretched.
As the Chair and CEO, we extend our sincere gratitude to Youturn’s staff, donors, funders, partners, advocates and stakeholders for a remarkable 2023. Our impact is growing and outcomes for those we support are improving. That said, there is always more that we can do, and we look forward to nurturing Youturn’s culture of care, empathy, humility, and continuous improvement as we navigate our growth.
Our team is committed to providing tailored, non-judgmental support to those in need, upholding our commitment to our mission, vision, and values.
Our journey commences in 1989, marked by the earnest efforts of five volunteers who established the Noosa Accommodation Project (NAP) to aid six young individuals facing homelessness. Through unwavering dedication and local community support, NAP’s mission expanded to offer essential accommodation and assistance to young people aged 16-21.
As time passed, our organisation experienced dynamic growth and adaptability, constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of vulnerable individuals within our community. Our services extended to encompass different regions and diversified to address new focus areas, encompassing Child Safety, Homelessness, Mental Health, and Suicide Prevention.
More recently, Youturn has embarked on a transformative journey of expansion, restructuring, and streamlining our teams. Our programs now fall under two main focus areas: Health Services and Community Services.
While youth support remains central to our mission, this year, Youturn has intentionally broadened our demographic scope to provide assistance to vulnerable individuals of all ages. Similarly, while we hold the Sunshine Coast dear as our home, we are actively exploring opportunities to expand our presence across Australia.
Our enduring commitment to our heritage and unwavering support for our local communities remain at the core of everything we do.
SERVICES
SERVICES
(Food Bank Australia).
(National Youth Coalition for Housing).
In the course of this year, there have been noteworthy changes within our Board. We bid farewell and thank both Scott Orpin and Paula Holden. Paula commendably served as Youturn’s Board Chair for two years. We acknowledge and thank Paula for her service and outstanding leadership during her tenure. In April 2023, we welcomed Mitch Evans as the new Chairperson.
Furthermore, our Board experienced growth in May 2023 with the appointment of two new Board Directors, Craig Martin and Janelle Reid. These additions further enrich the diversity of expertise and perspectives, strengthening our capacity to fulfill our mission and strategic objectives.
We extend our deepest gratitude to our Board Members for their commitment and dedication in their voluntary roles.
Community Services
Health Services
Collectively and individually, they possess an extensive experience both in the sectors in which Youturn delivers impact and in the disciplines that underpin the role.
After serving Youturn for six years and assuming the role of CEO in October 2021, Dr. Tanya Bell departed in May 2023. We express our sincere gratitude for her dedication and strong leadership during her tenure.
Upon Dr. Bell’s departure, James Blevin was appointed as Youturn’s CEO, initially in an acting capacity, and subsequently as permanent CEO following a nationwide recruitment search. This appointment is testament to his exceptional qualifications and contributions to the organisation.
Throughout the year, our People and Performance team has placed an emphasis on elevating our workforce culture, enhancing retention, fostering continuous learning and development, and promoting health and wellbeing initiatives. Our team members are fuelled by a profound passion for making meaningful and sustainable changes within the communities we serve. To support our dedicated workforce, we provide a spectrum of benefits, including flexible work arrangements, a collaborative work environment, personalised training and development paths, and a comprehensive array of lifestyle, financial, and wellbeing resources.
At Youturn, cultivating a positive team culture is an intentional strategy woven into the fabric of our daily operations. We value genuine human connections and have taken steps to create opportunities for our teams to connect with one another and the causes we champion.
Over the past year, Youturn has adeptly responded to changes within both our internal operations and the external landscape. As in previous years, the biggest challenges we faced related to increasing mental health concerns, as well as the continuingly evolving housing crisis.
We have harnessed innovation and forged collaborative alliances to develop solutions that effectively cater to the requirements of marginalised and vulnerable individuals in our community. Utilising our internal resources in synergy with partnerships formed within government, private, and community sectors, we have successfully implemented transformative programs that address significant societal challenges, profoundly impacting lives for the better.
Furthermore, this year marked a significant achievement as we successfully secured the Youth Enhanced Services (YES) program in both Toowoomba and Adelaide, leading to the establishment of Youturn offices in these regions.
The YES program is dedicated to supporting young individuals aged 12 to 25 with moderate to high mental health care needs. Our services encompass a diverse range of modalities, including face-to-face consultations, telehealth, and outreach initiatives. Youturn’s evolving national presence reflects our commitment to reaching and assisting youth across Australia, reinforcing our mission to foster mental health and wellbeing in young people nationwide.
While Youturn’s core mission remains unwavering in its dedication to young people, we recognise the importance of expanding our reach to cater to a broader demographic. As a testament to this commitment, we recently tendered for and were awarded the Immediate Housing Response for Families (IHRF) program, aimed at aiding families experiencing homelessness on the Sunshine Coast. This initiative involves dedicated case management to guide these families towards sustainable housing solutions.
At Youturn, our aim has expanded to provide support and create positive impacts for individuals of all ages, aligning with our values of inclusivity and community wellbeing.
We embarked on internal compliance initiatives spanning various sectors, with ambitious plans for further expansion. Our support for headspace centres in meeting the headspace Model Integrity Framework requirements resulted in positive outcomes.
To bolster our performance data collection capabilities, we played pivotal roles in several initiatives, including:
Lastly, our team has maintained a vigilant watch over incident management, health and safety, and ongoing improvement efforts within the organisation.
In collaboration with Beacon Strategies, we’ve been diligently working to craft the Youturn Lived Experience framework for the StandBy program (currently in its final draft stage). The implementation of this LE Framework plays a pivotal role in solidifying our commitment to placing the lived and living experiences of suicide bereavement at the heart of our initiatives. It also guides the development of contemporary strategies for hiring designated peer workers, cultivating a peer workforce (in both designated and non-designated roles), and providing comprehensive support and supervision for our peer workers.
In preparation for expanding our peer work capacity across the entire StandBy network, we’re in the process of creating a StandBy Peer Work Practice Manual. Furthermore, we’re actively exploring partnerships with organisations in the Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, with the aim of introducing designated peer work positions to enhance the support available to those bereaved or impacted by suicide through the StandBy program.
The program encompassed a comprehensive array of leadership tools, skills, and capabilities meticulously designed to align with Youturn’s vision, values, and goals. Its primary aim was to equip our team members with the confidence and resources needed to elevate their leadership abilities to new heights.
Each participant in this program was thoughtfully chosen to foster collaboration and establish enduring connections across all sectors of our organisation. The intention was to create a network of strong, interwoven relationships that would benefit our entire business ecosystem.
Here are some of the ongoing initiatives we uphold:
• Inclusive and collaborative decision-making processes, encompassing systems, forms, and best practices.
• Valuing and actively seeking feedback and innovative ideas for improvement
• Maintaining an open-door policy, ensuring accessibility for all
• Conducting regular supervisions and debriefing sessions as needed by our staff
• Engaging in informal check-ins to maintain personal connections
In addition to these established practices, we’ve introduced exciting new initiatives this year:
• Friday morning Connect Ups: These weekly gatherings offer our dispersed teams a chance to come together, fostering relationships through games, jokes, and casual conversations. It’s a space where work discussions take a backseat, allowing for genuine connections.
• Child Safety team activities: We’ve organised outings to the park, games of cricket, cultural bush walks, and themed breakfasts like Hawaiian Fridays, providing our teams with opportunities for fun, camaraderie, and relaxation.
We believe in cultivating a supportive and inclusive environment where our teams thrive both professionally and personally.
This powerful tool, called Edge of the Present, has shown to improve mood, wellbeing, and positive future thinking, as well as alleviate thoughts of hopelessness and stimulate a sense of peace and mindfulness. Bringing it to community for the first time, the initiative has been very successful in attracting a lot of people wanting to explore complimentary options to support mental health and wellbeing.
Later this year, an updated mobile version of the VR technology will be available and introduced to all our mental health and headspace centres to continue this valuable research.
StandBy’s impactful contribution included the development of a ‘Safe Language Around Suicide’ video presented by Jo Langford, StandBy’s Lived Experience Coordinator. This video served as a crucial educational tool for speakers and presenters at the conference and was screened daily for delegates prior to plenary sessions.
Jo Langford also wrote and presented a workshop titled ‘Breaking down the 4th wall – an audience guided postvention play’ and delivered the acknowledgment of lived experience at the conference’s official opening, solidifying StandBy’s national leadership in suicide postvention.
Furthermore, StandBy’s former General Manager, Karen Phillips, received the National Award for Impact and the Queensland award for Outstanding Contribution during the National LiFE Awards at the Gala Dinner. StandBy also provided support services and hosted the Wellbeing and Quiet Space for all delegates.
Participation in this national event not only recognised but elevated Youturn’s StandBy Support After Suicide program as a national leader in suicide prevention and postvention. Over the past two decades, StandBy has evolved from a small pilot service on the Sunshine Coast to a prominent national leader in suicide postvention services, covering all states and territories.
OUR PROGRAMS
COMMUNITY SERVICES
We support people to have a safe and affordable place to live.
(e.g. Community Services including Child Safety and Homelessness programs)
Additionally, our commitment to child safety has led to the successful expansion of our portfolio with the addition of two new early intervention programs.
We were also privileged to be invited by the Sunshine Coast Child Safety region to engage in collaborative discussions, further strengthening our role in enhancing child safety services and programs in the community.
Children and young people (0-17 years) who are at risk of harm and cannot remain living safely with their parents
The two tiny homes located at Tewantin are now fully operational and are providing safe and secure accommodation for local families.
Since July, we have housed three families, with one family being successful in gaining private rental accommodation after a short stay in the tiny home.
Current tenants and families are working towards their goals of gaining appropriate, long-term accommodation in the local area.
experiencing homelessness.
Families looking to identify long term, affordable and sustainable accommodation
HEALTH SERVICES
We support people to flourish and experience high mental wellbeing.
(e.g. Mental Health and Wellbeing Services including headspace, Youth Enhanced and StandBy Support After Suicide)
Those who support vulnerable people accessing our services.
This success was the result of collaborative efforts and comprehensive support. In their own words, they expressed gratitude, saying:
Post Suicide Support: an ini-a-ve funded by the NSW Government
Community workshops and education programs are locally tailored and provide increased awareness of suicide and suicide bereavement, to help enable communities to support one another.
Mayor Stewart stands as a highly regarded, devoted, and proactive leader within our community, sharing our commitment to making tangible and meaningful contributions to individuals and communities. Mayor Stewart wholeheartedly shares our values and principles. She is dedicated to enhancing the quality of our region, readily listens with a desire to understand, and embraces innovation and agility. We firmly believed that she would be the perfect complement to Youturn, poised to elevate our efforts in supporting vulnerable individuals within this region.
Our first appointed Ambassadors for Youturn, brothers Tim and Sam Aitken of the band Sametime were committed to lending a hand, advocating for Youturn and giving back and supporting young people in the local community.
“We did our research and we loved that Youturn is a local, grassroots charity who are focused on supporting young people on the Sunshine Coast, and in South East Queensland. They have a passionate team, who are really dedicated to making a difference to the vulnerable people in their care. As artists and musicians, we want to use our time and talent to help raise Youturn’s profile and the amazing work they are doing.”
After more than two years of raising awareness and funds for Youturn, including organising the Youturn it Up Festival, Tim and Sam have moved to Europe to pursue their musical dream. We still keenly follow their progress and are so grateful for all they have done for Youturn as our Ambassadors.
“I take pride in raising awareness and support for youth mental health, environmental protection & cultural connection. I’m truly excited for the potential ventures ahead as an Ambassador for an organisation that I know and trust!”
“As an ambassador for Youturn for the past two years, I have personally witnessed the positive impact that the organisation has on the lives of young people in our community, and I am committed to continuing my support for many more years to come.”
This year our volunteer base has grown and opportunities to get involved were offered at events such as:
• Caloundra Music Festival
• Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers
• Groovin’ the Moo
• Christmas Giving
Youturn is keen to grow our YouCrew membership and offer more opportunities for volunteers to get involved with the work we do.
White’s IGA: White’s IGA Supermarkets serve as a preferred supplier of Youturn’s grocery vouchers, benefiting our Emergency Relief and homelessness programs. Roz White and the White’s IGA stores on the Sunshine Coast have been steadfast supporters of our “Healthy Minds Brighter Futures” mental health campaign. Their commitment to assisting young people in our local community is truly inspiring.
“By working together to support each other, we can create a more resilient, connected and prosperous community,” Roz White, Owner of the White’s IGA Group.
Youturn proudly partnered with Nutworks, a local icon on the Sunshine
Coast. Through White’s IGA stores, Nutworks sold delectable snacks,
including macadamia nut brittle and rocky road, with all proceeds
contributing to our menta health programs. This partnership not only raised
funds but also facilitated conversations about mental health, helping reduce
stigma.
These funds will play a significant role in supporting local young people in managing their mental health through our YouConnect Hub.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to MixFM and our generous community for making this event such a success.
AECOM: then went the extra mile by inviting our team members to Connect Brisbane’s Charity Fundraising Night, where they generously matched donations, resulting in a substantial $8,000 contribution. During the event, Youturn’s representatives shared valuable insights into our impact on the community.
Furthermore, AECOM has demonstrated their commitment to our cause by delivering hand-packed goods filled with non-perishable items, food, and essential supplies for our Emergency Relief program – all generously donated and collected by their staff. Recognising the continued need for assistance, AECOM pledged ongoing support by providing custom packs for our Emergency Relief program in the future.
AECOM’s support exemplifies the incredible generosity of businesses and individuals who play a vital role in making a positive difference in our community.
Our meticulous accounting of expenditure breakdown, specifically related to the costs associated with the implementation of our services and programs, serves as a performance indicator to assess the successful attainment of this objective.
Our 2020-2025 Strategic Plan has been instrumental in guiding us through this transformative period, however, as we continue to evolve and adapt, it is crucial that we are ready to reassess our goals and priorities to ensure they align with the evolving needs of our communities.
Recognising the changing landscape and emerging social and political priorities, the coming year will see Youturn’s Board and Executive undertake a formal review and update of our Strategic Plan to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness.
In addition to this strategic review, our leadership team is actively exploring opportunities to expand our geographic reach and broaden our demographic focus to extend our impact to a wider range of individuals.
Our ongoing efforts will also include a focus on diversifying our sources of revenue and fostering an internal culture of readiness for change, all in support of our growth journey. These initiatives collectively represent our commitment to navigating the path of growth and evolution as we strive to better serve the communities we are dedicated to supporting.
We deeply appreciate the generosity of our partners and the robust working relationships we’ve cultivated, all of which are instrumental in enabling us to effect meaningful change.
We deeply appreciate the generosity of our partners and the robust working relationships we’ve cultivated, all of which are instrumental in enabling us to effect meaningful change.
We deeply appreciate the generosity of our partners and the robust working relationships we’ve cultivated, all of which are instrumental in enabling us to effect meaningful change.
We deeply appreciate the generosity of our partners and the robust working relationships we’ve cultivated, all of which are instrumental in enabling us to effect meaningful change.
We deeply appreciate the generosity of our partners and the robust working relationships we’ve cultivated, all of which are instrumental in enabling us to effect meaningful change.
We deeply appreciate the generosity of our partners and the robust working relationships we’ve cultivated, all of which are instrumental in enabling us to effect meaningful change.
We deeply appreciate the generosity of our partners and the robust working relationships we’ve cultivated, all of which are instrumental in enabling us to effect meaningful change.
We deeply appreciate the generosity of our partners and the robust working relationships we’ve cultivated, all of which are instrumental in enabling us to effect meaningful change.
We deeply appreciate the generosity of our partners and the robust working relationships we’ve cultivated, all of which are instrumental in enabling us to effect meaningful change.
We deeply appreciate the generosity of our partners and the robust working relationships we’ve cultivated, all of which are instrumental in enabling us to effect meaningful change.
We deeply appreciate the generosity of our partners and the robust working relationships we’ve cultivated, all of which are instrumental in enabling us to effect meaningful change.
(head office)
T: 07 5442 4277
E: reception@youturn.org.au