Documentaries

How coffee made with TLC is changing lives

Meet the people who are creating something beautiful from a simple cup of coffee.

Frapp & Capp Café in Bankstown is a very special place. As an initiative of Tender Loving Care (TLC) Disability Services, it’s a movement which challenges the norm, while advocating for equity and championing the cause for inclusivity.

How to be the "World's Best Dad"

Dads4Kids started in 2002 with the dream to make Australian dads the best dads in the world - at least in their own kids’ eyes. And they believe that the key is intentionally finding opportunities to spend time with your kids. “The dream of Dads4Kids is building men, growing fathers, changing generations,” says founder, Warwick Marsh.

Dads4Kids is all about providing opportunities for dads to be present with their children while having fun. Their annual Dads4Kids Fun Camp is popular with dads and kids wanting to spend time together.

Growing food and friendship through gardening

“It’s learning with other people that’s one of the big pluses for the community garden and enjoying what we grow,” says Sue, from Thornleigh Community Garden.

“If you’ve got space and a keenness, you can do a community garden anywhere.”

In Part 1 and 2 of this Helping Hands documentary, we meet Sue and her team of enthusiastic gardening volunteers at their community garden in Thornleigh, a suburb of northern Sydney, to find out how one person’s transition to retirement has transformed an ordinary suburban backyard into a great initiative welcoming locals of all ages and abilities.

The circle of generosity

When Mel Burgess opened Op for Change in Manly on Sydney’s Northern Beaches three years ago, she was inspired to do so by the vision to take the humble building blocks of a traditional Op Shop and transform the concept into something much bigger than a place to resell used goods.

Op for Change is Mel’s dream successfully realised. In Part 2 of this Helping Hands documentary, we see that the popular social enterprise has become a staple in the Northern Beaches landscape, providing plentiful opportunities in and for the local community to be a part of the revolving doorway of generosity that the shop facilitates.

Manly locals impact the community for good

When Mel Burgess had a dream to open an Op Shop, she was determined to find a way to give back to the local community. In this episode of Helping Hands, we see Mel’s dream come to fruition in Op for Change, the social enterprise Mel opened in Manly. 

In just her third year of running Op for Change, Mel and her team of op shop volunteers have received and sold over ten thousand items donated by Northern Beaches locals, and the social enterprise has given away over $50,000 to local charities. 

Hidden treasures in the Blue Mountains

Tucked away in every corner of The Nook, you will find hand-crafted artistic creations made by more than 35 artisans who are members of this unique Blue Mountains co-operative. 

For more than 28 years, The Nook has been the epitome of individuals coming together in their diversity to create a community around a common cause.

How Aussie business owners are impacting the world

Australians love to use what they have to make life better for someone doing it tough, and Aussie businesses are no different. Driven by a passion to see their profits contribute towards making the world a better place, Wild Indiana, Joyful Finance and Speak About Speech Pathology partner with non-profit Pro Purpose to identify and implement their giving purpose.

Caring for people and planet

Mark Jones, CEO at the ImpactInstitute, holds the care of people and planet at the core of his business model. He works with individuals and organisations seeking to create a sustainable and responsible future in their everyday operations. 

It’s the inspiration behind the inaugural Social Impact Summit held in July 2023, which is featured on this week’s episode of Helping Hands. 

An Aussie with a Turban and a Beard

Amar Singh established Turbans 4 Australia in 2015 to provide aid relief to people across Australia, and to promote multiculturalism and religious tolerance.

Since calling Australia home as a teenager, Amar has experienced racism, abuse and discrimination, and was once told by a co-worker that he looked like a terrorist because of his turban.

Amar used this experience for good.

The Gift of a Home for Christmas

“Wesley Mission has given me hope. Wesley Mission has given me back trust. Wesley Mission has given me back appreciation of love,” says Martin, a recipient of housing through Wesley Mission’s Homeless Services.

“When you think you’ve lost that, and it’s irredeemable – to actually realise it isn’t lost, it’s still there, you just needed somebody to show you how to do it again.”

The BIG Difference of Little Communities

In this episode of Helping Hands, we see the Little BIG House breaking through the barriers of loneliness and isolation, and creating deep and meaningful community connections.

“The Little BIG House is our neighbourhood hub,” says Sarah Mathews, CEO of the Little BIG Foundation. "It’s a place where people come together. We have ninety events a month." Everything is based around creating connection and meeting your neighbours and bringing people together.

Tough Love that Transforms Lives

“There’s no bad kid. There are only children with negative learned behaviours,” says Matthew French, co-founder and director of Veteran Mentors. “There isn’t a better beautiful sight than watching a parent and child reunite.” 

Matthew served in the Australian armed forces and post-military, is using his training to help change the lives of young people and families across Australia through Veteran Mentors - a nine-day youth development program designed for troubled teens.

The circular economy of tools

When Amy Croucher needed tools for some DIY around her home, she was faced with two choices; to buy tools from her local hardware store, even though she suspected she may use them once and leave them on the shelf to gather dust for the rest of their lives, or, find a way to access and use the tools she needed without such economical and environmental expense.

Ending the cycle of violence with KYUP! power

Incidents of violence against women are sadly growing. In Australia this year alone, horrendous statistics show us that more than one woman has been killed every week through domestic violence.

This is what makes the work of the KYUP! Project even more important, and it’s what drives the passion of its founder, Mel Thomas. Created to break the cycle of family and domestic violence at its grassroots, the initiative is fast becoming Australia’s premier violence and prevention empowerment program for teens.

Empowering Independence and Choice

It’s daunting to know that of the 30,000+ people across Australia requiring Specialist Disability Accommodation, almost half are currently living in unsuitable housing. When Ability SDA Directors, Angie and Paul Simmons, saw first-hand that young people with a disability were living in aged care facilities, they decided to do something.