2026 SO FAR

Every Number Has a Name

Halfway through the year, it's tempting to measure success by numbers. The number of children we've supported. The number of breakfasts served. The number of mentoring sessions, dental appointments and school visits.

And while those numbers matter, they only tell part of the story.

Behind every statistic is a child who felt seen. A family who found hope.

A young person who discovered they didn't have to navigate life alone.

So far this year, together, we've continued to strengthen communities across Newcastle through practical support, trusted relationships and early intervention.

Whether it's a child climbing onto one of our Brighter Beginnings buses each morning, a student building confidence through Mentoring, a family receiving food relief during a difficult season, or a young person learning life-changing wellbeing skills through Shine Education and Side By Side, every moment has been made possible because of

a community that believes everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive.

2026 by the numbers

2400 drop offs at school each day

2700  wellbeing check-ins with families

250 of mentoring and wellbeing conversations with children and young people.

3000 of breakfasts shared with children and families.

40 of free dental appointments restoring smiles and building confidence.

700 children reached across Newcastle in school rollouts.

700 groceries delivered to people in need.

120 crisis call outs.

And countless moments of encouragement, advocacy and connection.

These numbers will continue to grow throughout the year. But what encourages us most isn't the scale of our work. It's knowing that every conversation, every school pickup, every meal shared and every relationship built is creating stronger protective factors around children and families who need them most.

Because lasting change is rarely found in one extraordinary moment. It's built through ordinary people consistently choosing to show up.

Thank you for being part of the story we're writing together.

Emma Griffin

Wellbeing and Community Engagement