Documentaries

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.

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.

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. 

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.

An education partnership for generational social change

On Helping Hands this week, we talk about the importance of education for social change and announce our partnership with Learning for Good.

“It’s fabulous to have access to these online resources that have such a variety of learning experiences … It really shows the depth of learning that these kids are getting access to,” shares Miss Ellis, speaking about the Learning for Good online resources she uses in her remote western NSW classroom.

Celebrating 100 episodes of Helping Hands

“We understand business really well,” shares Yasser Zaki, Global CEO of TLC Disability Services, “but to deliver the story-telling component, we had to find the right partners. That’s when we met Richard and the Helping Hands guys and it just connected that link for us.”

Yasser generously shared his praise for Helping Hands at our recent 100^th episode celebration, held in March this year. It was an event that drew together Helping Hands partners, supporters and sponsors to celebrate all that Helping Hands has achieved across its first 100 episodes.

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.

Faith, family and friendship this Easter

In this special Easter episode of Helping Hands, we join Alison on her property in outback Queensland.

“I like the isolation, but I also am a social person,” shares 76-year-old Alison Gray. “I have the radio on most of the time – on my phone. I just have it in the background, and it helps, it encourages me – lifts my spirits up.”

Easter in the Torres Strait

Located in the northernmost tip of Queensland’s Torres Strait Islands and just six kilometres from Papua New Guinea, Boigu Island is where Laurel was born and raised, among idyllic natural beauty, within the love and strength of her indigenous culture and community. 

“For me, growing up on Boigu Island was like living in heaven on earth”, says indigenous evangelist, Laurel Pabai. 

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.

A Cup of Coffee - changing the narrative around disability employment

“Many of the people here go over to get their coffee and they’re met with a great smile, a lot of vibrancy, fantastic personalities. You don’t always connect the dots and think, This is a person with a disability. This is a person with a vibrant personality, who understands coffee, who is offering wonderful hospitality,” says David Jack, CEO of TLC Impact.

In this episode of Helping Hands, we join the TLC Impact team in their partnership with Business Chambers South who ran a Job and Skills Expo in the Sutherland Shire attended by more than 450 people earlier this year, and spend time with Salim, a member of the TLC team who serves more than just a cup of coffee!

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.