Documentaries

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. 

Boccia Paralympians set for Gold in Paris

Paralympians Daniel Michel and Jamieson Leeson are the team to beat in Paris later this year, and we will be cheering them on.

They will represent Australia in the BC3 category of Boccia, and headline the Boccia NSW State Titles documentary on Helping Hands this week.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

Collective impact can change the world

There is a growing trend in the world of business to be purpose-led, to make an impact, and to have a social conscience.  This has been a hot button topic in recent years and has seen the growth of the social enterprise sector, as well as many businesses aligning with the B Corp movement.

Pro Purpose is one initiative enabling small to medium businesses in Australia which exist to make a profit and which do not have the capacity to go through the rigorous B Corp approval process, to make a social impact in the course of their daily business workflow.

Jeremiah providing a future of hope!

The Jeremiah Project exists to bring hope and a future to people experiencing homelessness.  Founded by Jacky Turano and supported by a team of over 110 volunteers, the heartbeat of The Jeremiah Project is to ensure that everyone knows they have a purpose and are loved. 

Helping Hands spent an afternoon with Jacky and the Jeremiah team at the Hawkesbury Community Kitchen in Windsor, NSW to see how this charity is working with local businesses and supporters, and punching well above its weight.

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.