Documentaries

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.

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.

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. 

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.”

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.