Documentaries

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Written in Chalk: the echo of Arthur Stace

The Darlinghurst Theatre Company, who run the Eternity Playhouse Theatre, opened its doors to support the production of a cultural and historical documentary called Written in Chalk: the echo of Arthur Stace.

This week, we see Part 2 of our story about Wesley Mission's Aunties and Uncles team as they collect over $10 000 of toys and redistribute them to children and families doing it tough.  A small act of anonymous generosity can go a long way.

This week, we see Part 1 of our story about Wesley Mission's Aunties and Uncles team as they collect over $10 000 of toys and redistribute them to children and families doing it tough.  A small act of anonymous generosity can go a long way.

Brad and Rich's story - Wesley Mission

This week, we step into the lives of Brad and Rich to see how their lives are enriched through Wesley Mission's housing and community.

Wesley Mission's Edward Eager Centre (Pt 2)

This week, we see Part 2 of our Wesley Mission's Edward Eager Centre story. See the impact the centre makes by providing short-term crisis accommodation and support to men and women experiencing homelessness.