From the Chair

In 2020, young Australians named their top two concerns as coping with stress, and mental health.

They also identified identified education, mental health and the impacts of COVID-19 as significant personal issues.

It’s clear that there is vast scope for us to do more as an organisation and support a growing number of partners in the joint mission of building resilience and wellbeing in young people and their communities.

In this our third year of operations, Thinking Positive progressed our digital strategy and our website is nearing completion. We also endorsed a fifth organisation and strengthened our partnerships with existing beneficiaries via updated agreements, thanks to pro bono legal support provided by Herbert Smith Freehills. I’m immensely grateful that donations increased by almost 75% in the last 12 months, with overall donations growing by more than 850% since 2019.

*Mission Australia Annual Youth Survey Report 2020 https://www.missionaustralia.com.au/what-we-do/research-impact-policy-advocacy/youth-survey

COVID-19 continued to disrupt the plans of our partnering organisations in 2021, and yet they continued to model their values and resilience by innovating and adapting their programs to reach a growing number of young people and their families. I hope you enjoy reading the highlights they ’ ve shared with us.

James Dods

D I R E C T O R / B O A R D C H A I R