Current Partnerships

Currently, there is a 9-month waitlist for non-acute appointments with a paediatrician at Bowral Hospital. The BDCF wants to slash the wait-time, so in consultation with the paediatric team, we are funding a part-time highly qualified health professional  to liaise with the paediatrician ,the waitlisted children and their families. This role will involve assessing  and directing the children and families to appropriate interim support services and experts working throughout the Highlands. The aim being to provide families with timely interventions, advice and support for their young loved ones and to gather appropriate information  to expedite appointment times with the paediatrician..

Across our district schools, sports clubs, early childhood centres and youth centres, there are a talented and committed bunch of employees and volunteers working on the wellbeing of their young communities. The SHWC is an initiative driven by the talented Sarah Mangelsdorf and Andy Skidmore from the Youth Impact Foundation.
 

The aim of the collective is to create a united language and shared understanding of the language around mental health and well-being for all Southern Highlands children and young people. The BDCF, as Founding Partner, is funding Stage One of the program to create an umbrella structure for creating wellbeing programs across early learning, shelters, schools and clubs. We hope to see additional partners come on board as the momentum grows and results start rolling in.

The Raise mentoring program continues to have a profound and positive impact on vulnerable teens.  The Raise program trains volunteer adult mentors from the local community and pairs them with these young people. The mentors provide a non-judgmental relationship that has been proven to make significant difference in the kids wellbeing and engagement at school.

​

This year in partnership with The Southern Highlands Community Foundation and The Waratah Foundation we are continuing to fund local Raise co-ordinator, Brooke McGee. Brooke recruits the mentors, coordinates with the schools to select young people and runs the Raise program in both Bowral and Moss Vale High Schools

Batyr is a for-purpose preventative mental health organisation, created and driven by young people, for young people.

​

Batyr is working to create stigma-free communities encouraging young people to talk openly about their mental health and take charge of their mental health and wellbeing. The batyr program presentations are given by young people with a lived experience of mental health issues.  The programs have been demonstrated to encourage peer support and open discussion about mental health issues.

​

We are continuing to help batyr break down the stigma surrounding mental health, by sponsoring batyr to present their batyr@school mental health programmes in Southern Highlands high schools.

The Butterfly Foundation is an Australian charity which supports those impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, as well as the families, friends and communities who support them.

​

This year we are once again offering Butterfly Foundation programmes to local primary and secondary schools from year 5 up to year 12 students . The focus of the programmes is on prevention and early intervention of eating disorders and body image issues.

​

The presentations are designed to provide practical strategies to support body confidence and empower young people to reach out for help .

Pop In provides a safe and friendly place which supports women and children who are threatened or impacted by domestic violence and abuse.

Since its opening in 2021, Pop In has been overwhelmed with demand for its services which sadly highlights an enormous unmet need in our community.

​

BDCF continues to support and fund the weekly Learn and Play group. Designed for Mums and their preschool children (aged 0-5) to come together, play, connect and learn.

​

This fantastic program is led by a Paediatric Occupational Therapist, funded by BDCF, and supported by trained volunteers.  There is a noticeable improvement in the children’s development resulting from this position.