Documentaries

Building Men, Growing Fathers, Changing Generations

Each year, Dads4Kids hosts a Men’s Leadership Summit to equip men to be the best version of themselves.

Helping Hands joined Dads4Kids and over 60 men from across Australia to see how fathers and sons of all ages, cultures and nationalities are being given the tools to make the world a better place.

Fair Trade - The power to purchase freedom

For Australians, freedom is something we rarely think about. However, millions in the world are slaves to poverty, slaves to the sex trade, and slaves to unfair work practices. For them, freedom is something they may only ever dream of. Is there an answer to this overwhelming problem? 

Yes. Fair trade. 

Fair Trade - the power to purchase freedom

For Australians, freedom is something we rarely think about. However, millions in the world are slaves to poverty, slaves to the sex trade, and slaves to unfair work practices. For them, freedom is something they may only ever dream of. Is there an answer to this overwhelming problem?

Yes. Fair trade.

Generosity made simple for business

Novale Bathrooms provide design-driven, dream bathroom renovations for clients. With Pro Purpose, the success of their business enables them to sponsor children in developing countries, provide micro business start-up loans, and provide 231 nights of accommodation to families who are experiencing homelessness.

Limcora is a large plumbing and drainage company. Through the one truck, one child initiative Pro Purpose helped them implement, they sponsor children through World Vision.

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

KYUP! Project

This week, we see the empowering and inspiring work of Mel Thomas' KYUP! Project. We observe the project's Mother and Daughter Self-Defence Workshop and see how this fantastic initiative teaches girls and women to recognise the warning signs of violence and protect themselves should the unexpected happen.

Miracles Day 2023 - CBM Australia

This week, we join the team at CBM Australia to find out more about the work they do coming alongside people with disabilities living in the world’s poorest places. Through interventions like the gift of eye surgery and other eye health services, the CBM team fight poverty and exclusion, and transform the lives of individuals, families and communities.

Thornleigh Community Garden (Pt 2)

This week, we see Part 2 of our story on Thornleigh Community Garden. Even in the hustle and bustle of suburbia, we see that a therapeutic oasis is created to nurture friendship, purpose and dementia support through a connection to nature.