In their own words
Stories from our young people and case workers.
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What we do
Burdekin offers practical and therapeutic support for at-risk young people and their families, addressing issues like family breakdown, education disengagement, mental illness, and substance abuse—all factors that can lead to homelessness.
We provide safe accommodation, therapeutic care, and personalised case management for children and young people aged 9-17. For those aged 16-24 transitioning to independence, we offer semi-supported, affordable housing.
Our goal? To see young lives lived to their full potential with safe homes and enhanced wellbeing.
Hear directly from the young people we’ve supported...
Ava's story
“Hi, I’m Ava and I am 25 years of age. I live independently through Burdekin.
I heard of Burdekin through a family friend. I contacted Burdekin and had a beautiful conversation with one of the Case Workers who went through a bit about what they provide, and how they support young people.
With Burdekin’s help, they provided me with a government home to move into, to continue my studies, to continue working independently, and have a better relationship with my family.
Four years later, I am very proud of myself to say I’ve got a law degree, a psychology degree. I’ve been living independently for over three years. I am a proud cat mum, and I have my own car.
Burdekin has allowed me to take every single step with confidence, knowing that I am not going to fall. And, if I feel like I am tripping, they’ll be there to pick me up and allow me to continue.”
Alice's story
“Hi, my name is Alice Xiao, and I am 19 years of age, and I am a young person with Burdekin.
Something about me is that after three years of saving up, I get to go to Japan, my lifelong dream.
I first got into care in 2020. I was in Year 11 and Year 12 and about to start my HSC. Me and my little brother were placed into emergency accommodation.
After around six months of stay, I think, I don’t really remember the time, we got placed with Burdekin and honestly, I have never been more grateful for something in my life.
The difference that Burdekin has made in my life? It’s the closest I have gotten to a real family dynamic. My Case Workers, they’ve supported me every step of the way, through every despairing moment, every celebration to you know, the Youth Workers who helped us and taught us life skills.
There’s lots in store for me. I plan to study way more and just help people who are in the position I am through my Social Work degree.”
Warren's story
“Hey, I’m Warren Welsh, a Case Manager with Burdekin. I’ve been with the group coming up to 30 years.
I’m very humbled by what we as workers, getting paid, get to do.
I am constantly in awe and inspired by the young people I work with who have overcome multiple obstacles to then really go for their goals. And it’s all about what the young person needs.
And I guess we help them build the stepping stones to what they want to achieve. And it’s just fascinating. I have seen kids go on to do really good things just by levelling the playing field a bit.
There are many ways that people can help. We’re looking for volunteers who can help young people with driving lessons, good old-fashioned cash if you donate it can be really critical in transforming young people’s lives.”
Anna's story
“Hello everyone. I am Anna. My teenage years were years full of stability, safety, security and a nurturing environment.
I remained at the same school, completed my HSC, travelled to Lismore for university and completed a double degree, all with the support of Burdekin.
I realise how fortunate I was to have such a stable upbringing given the fact I was homeless. I am one of the lucky ones.
To be part of Burdekin was like being a part of a bigger family. Many years after formally leaving their support, I still drop in and I know they still are there for me.
Since leaving Burdekin I have travelled Europe and taught in a school in Oxford, U.K.
I now teach at a school on the Northern Beaches and contact Burdekin to help me support the kids I teach.
Burdekin is so much a part of this community, and it is fantastic that the community is supporting kids like me to have the most normal upbringing possible, with access to services and materials that we need to succeed.
I don’t like to ponder what my life could have been like if I had not ended up at Burdekin.”
Lanai's story
"I’m an orphan. My mum committed suicide when I was seven and my dad had a heart attack when I was 16.
Thankfully, I wasn’t living with either of them at the time. I was removed from my mother’s care at age five and my relationship with my father was estranged since before I could remember.
I have completed high school, been to university and am living my dream career. At times it has been really hard. But in the end, I made it through what is unquestionably an out-of-touch and over-stretched child welfare system.
I don’t have all the answers, and I’m not going to pretend I do. But I’ve lived through the system. I’ve seen it from the inside, and I know what helped me get to a point where I can be here today, writing this.
I was in kinship care with my grandparents for most of my infant years. At 14, I was placed back in out-of-home care. My grandparents and I were fighting all the time, and the situation was explosive for all parties involved. This was one of the hardest times for me, and the time I needed help the most.
Most of my years in out-of-home care were spent with the support of a non-government agency called Burdekin.
Burdekin gave me one of the best case workers in the world. Someone who spent time every week with me and was always there to help when I needed a guiding voice.
She made a real difference in my life, and I believe she was able to do this in part because the caseloads for agency workers are often a lot lighter than their FaCS equivalents.
Often kids in care just need the right emotional support and guidance to turn their lives around. Smaller community-based agencies can and do provide this level of support.
My Burdekin case worker was there every week. In a troubled life, this can make all the difference.
I am currently working for ‘The Australian’ newspaper as a journalist and writing articles for The Punch. I survived. I was one of the lucky ones. But I shouldn’t have to be."
Simon's story
Simon is now in his forties, living in Sydney with his family, he has a nice home and a good job. This story shows what a huge difference can be made to the direction of a young person’s life with support.
He left home as a teenager, couch surfing for a bit, then living in a car with some other kids before the police took it away. After the car, Simon ended up spending time with other Northern Beaches kids, sleeping rough, taking drugs and stealing.
Some of the kids he hung out with overdosed or were taken away by police, not an uncommon experience for young kids on the streets. Simon refers to this time as “a low point in his life”.
Simon met one of our Case Managers, Warren (who’s featured in a case study above) by chance, and attributes the turnaround in his life to him.
“He was the one who got me back on track and I am forever grateful to him.”
Simon and his girlfriend had been hanging out with another couple for some time, sleeping on the floor of their accommodation and hiding from Warren. Rather than kicking them or the other couple out, Warren helped them.
Burdekin organised for the couples to stay at a local backpackers until suitable accommodation was found.
Things started to change for the better. Simon started attending TAFE and with regular visits from Warren who supported him with his TAFE work, life skills and looking for employment, he began to thrive.
After several years with Burdekin, Simon did eventually move home back home. Without Burdekin we don’t know what would have become of Simon. For some the transition from childhood to adulthood is more difficult than for others. Burdekin is here to help children and young people - physically, mentally, emotionally and socially.
Today, Simon says: “I honestly believe Warren and Burdekin have helped me get to where I am today. And I thank you all, Warren especially so very much. I wish you all the best and keep up the good work.”
There is no better news than this for us. We love hearing from former residents. We love hearing how the supportive environment we aim to provide has actually had the impact we seek.
We love hearing how the supportive environment we aimed to provide has actually had the positive impact we sought.
