Raising Up the Next Generation of Community Workers

At LIVEfree Project, we believe in community done differently — and that includes intentionally investing in the next generation of community workers.

Whether students are studying social work, community services, mental health, or pastoral care, we create space for them to learn, lead, and grow through real-world experience and deep community connection.

Our placements aren’t just about ticking boxes — they’re about transformation.

We mentor emerging professionals who are compassionate, culturally responsive, and equipped with both theoretical knowledge and grassroots experience.

Through practical exposure to our diverse programs and the stories of our community, students walk away with more than skills — they carry with them the heart of this work: to serve, empower, and advocate with integrity and care.

One of these future leaders is Kitana — a Social Work student who joined us for her very first placement.

This is her story.

First Impressions:

As a Social Work student, I was assigned my first student placement at LIVEfree Project. Prior to being assigned LIVEfree Project, I had never heard of the organisation or the diverse and essential programs and services they have on offer, and I was excited to meet the team and community to learn more. As this was my first placement, I was feeling nervous and scared to step into the unknown, particularly with an organisation I had not heard of before, but when I first met the Director, Chris, for my orientation and the Program Coordinator and my mentor Rachel, I knew that I would have the most incredible and supportive placement experience.

A Day in the Life as a Social Work Student at LIVEfree Project:

A day in the life as a Social Work student on placement at LIVEfree Project is structured and also flexible and diverse. I have been a part of the Brighter Beginnings Bus Program, which provides safe and reliable school transport to kids in the community, it has been such a rewarding experience to meet the kids and their families and carers, and build genuine and trusting relationships with community, which allows for holistic support and tailored services for community in need and strengthens social connection. Being able to earn the trust of the community and the kids from the bus program while fostering positive connections has been an incredible and rewarding aspect of the bus program.

On Tuesdays you can catch me at the Community Enrichment Program, where I have learned the power of a simple coffee and a chat and how these simple, yet foundational relationship building steps can lead to transformative change. Being entrusted by community with their deep stories of strength, hope, change, and resilience and being a part of their story and trusted with their story has been a crucial takeaway for myself as a social work student on how essential face-to-face, frontline work is for truly understanding the needs, strengths, and challenges of the community.

It’s one thing to study theory or read reports or referrals, but it’s only through real, human connection, sitting with people, hearing their stories, and witnessing their daily realities that we begin to grasp the depth and complexity of their experiences. This direct engagement with the community has not only deepened my empathy but it has enhanced my professional judgment, showing me where gaps exist and where meaningful and responsive practice is most needed and most beneficial.

On Fridays I step into the role of workshop facilitator for the Inspire Women workshop alongside Rachel, where I am privileged to work alongside fierce and strong women of the community who bring with them diverse experiences and a welcoming heart. I have helped create the workshop program based on the needs and suggestions of the women in the group, which has developed my research and program organisation and facilitation skills while honing my creativity skills to create engaging and meaningful workshops.

Over the weeks that I have been a part of the Inspire Women workshop I have had the opportunity to get to know the women and I have been privileged to sit alongside them, hear their stories and experiences, and witness their strength, resilience, and growth as they support one another, build new skills, and reclaim confidence in themselves and a truly rewarding aspect of the Inspire Women workshop is seeing the women's confidence increase in even the smallest ways, from feeling comfortable to finally talk in the group, to making huge steps in their personal life.

My Most Memorable Moment so Far:

Being able to form connections and trust within the community, particularly from people who have experienced a lack of trust in services, particularly social work services, has been such a heartwarming experience for me. But my most memorable moment so far has been building a strong and empowering connection with one of the women from the Inspire Women workshop - this has been a connection that has had a profound ripple effect across many areas of her life.

Through this relationship, she has come to feel safe, supported, and connected to LIVEfree Project, and now feels ready to give back to the community. Supporting her journey into volunteering with the Project has shown me in such a meaningful way the true power of connection for lasting change.

From the Classroom to the Community:

From the very first day of the Social Work degree we learn so much about different theories and practice standards and being able to finally be in the field and integrating theory into practice has been a challenging, enriching, and transformative part of my learning experience.

Being able to hear the life experiences, needs, and desires for community and linking these back to theory for a holistic approach has been an essential part of my Social Work placement and helped me develop my own practice framework that guides me to make ethical decisions grounded in theoretical knowledge for evidence-based practice. Some of the theories I have been integrating into my Social Work placement at LIVEfree Project are anti-oppressive practice theory, attachment theory, systems theory, and biopsychosocial theory.

Challenges, Growth, and Learning from the Team:

Completing a Social Work student placement has been filled with challenges, learning, and lots of growth. Some of my biggest challenges have been learning foundational rapport building skills in a community organisation, where the environment is more informal and there is more face-to-face frontline work with the community and learning my role and scope as a Social Work student and what kind of support I can provide.

Being able to lean on such an incredible and diverse team for direction, support, and encouragement has been foundational in building my Social Work identity and learning my scope and the different referral pathways and local services available.

Advice to Future Students:

My advice for future students would be to keep an open mind and do more listening than talking. Be brave and step into all opportunities presented to you, even if they seem scary because in the long term, they challenge you to be a better practitioner. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, you will only ever be a student once so make mistakes, give everything a go, and use all opportunities to learn something new.

Kitana Mills – Placement Student

The Inspire Women’s Program is proudly supported by the IMB Community Foundation, whose partnership helps us empower and equip women in our community to thrive.

If you're a student looking for a placement that will challenge, grow, and inspire you — while making a real difference in the lives of others — we’d love to hear from you.

LIVEfree Project is more than a placement; it’s a place to belong, to learn, and to lead with heart.