Sundale helps Little Dreamers to ‘just be kids’

Little Dreamers Founder and CEO, Madeleine Buchner OAM, centre, grew up as a carer for her mother and brother.

Little Dreamers is an organisation that helps kids who have a lot on their shoulders. They’re children who provide unpaid care for family members with a disability, illness or addiction. 

Now the charity, which has helped more than 5000 young people since its launch in 2009, can do more locally thanks to a $4500 grant from Nambour’s Sundale Community Foundation. 

Sundale CEO Danielle Mackenzie, Little Dreamers State Manager Tu Mushenko and Foundation Chair Caroline Hutchison.

As Australia’s leading nonprofit for young carers Little Dreamers helps fill a gap in the healthcare system by assisting young people who just want to be kids.

State Manager Tu Mushenko said Little Dreamers provided direct support addressing key risk factors many young carers face, such as social isolation, educational disadvantage and poor mental and physical wellbeing. 

“There are so many circumstances in which young people become carers. A young person might have a sibling with a physical or intellectual disability, grandparents who need extra support around the house, parents with a chronic illness or mental health condition, and the list goes on. We are passionate about providing respite and support to the young carers in Nambour.”

The Gazette asked Ms Mushenko to tell us more about Little Dreamer’s work.

Can you provide an example of how Little Dreamers helps young carers? 

“Young carers often miss out on regular childhood experiences due to their caring roles, like social opportunities, school excursions, extracurricular activities, or part-time jobs. Little Dreamers aims to empower these young people both as carers, and as individuals outside of their caring roles.”

What does your support ‘mean’ to the young kids you support? 

“For many young carers, simply having a network of young people in similar caring situations can often be life-changing. For 18-year-old young carer, Bee: ‘feeling like you aren’t alone and what you’re dealing with is valid and ok, and that there are people willing to help you and care about you is just the best’.”

How can people help Little Dreamers? 

“A simple way you can help is by spreading the word about young carers in your community. As many as 1 in 10 young Australians will experience a caring role, and a large percentage will never access support due to factors including lack of awareness and stigma.

“In addition, you can also participate in Little Dreamers’ new in-schools education program, The Young Carer Project, which works with teachers and students to create a more inclusive and supportive school environment for young carers. For more information, please contact qldeducation@littledreamers.org.au.”

How will the Sundale Community Foundation grant help Little Dreamers? 

“The Sundale donation will be used to run a school holiday program on Thursday 8 April for young carers in the Nambour community, providing respite from their caring roles, social connection, and a fun day to just be a kid. The holiday program will be run by BRICKS 4 KIDZ, encouraging young carers to use their imagination and create Lego masterpieces.” 

• Bookings for the holiday program will be available online soon at www.littledreamers.org.au/events/.