🌿 Mentoring & Youth Programs

Grounded guidance for stronger futures

The Buwanha Mentoring Framework is a culturally grounded, trauma-responsive approach to supporting young people navigating disconnection, adversity, or system involvement.

Designed and led by Aboriginal leadership and shaped by lived experience, Buwanha integrates the Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) framework with relational mentoring, somatic regulation, and connection to culture and Country.

We walk alongside young people to strengthen identity, safety, and belonging — because lasting change happens through relationship, not control.

Depending on need, setting, and funding context, Buwanha is delivered through four pathways:

 

1. Buwanha Mentoring — Ongoing Model (1:1)

Flexible, long-term mentoring tailored to each young person’s goals, strengths, and support needs.

Ideal for:

• Out-of-Home Care (OOHC)

• NDIS participants

• disengaged or at-risk youth

• complex trauma or behavioural support needs

Sessions focus on:

• emotional regulation

• cultural identity

• life skills and confidence

• healthy relationships

• school, sport, and community engagement

This model provides consistent, trusted adult support over time.

 

2. Buwanha 14-Week Structured Mentoring Program

A clear, time-bound mentoring journey cycling twice through each SEWB domain.

Designed for schools, agencies, and funded referrals requiring:

• structured delivery

• measurable outcomes

• consistent weekly sessions

• progress reporting

Provides:

• defined goals

• weekly 2-hour sessions

• evidence-informed tools

• pre/post reflection measures

• outcome summaries for stakeholders

Ideal when outcomes and timeframes need to be clearly defined.

 

3. Buwanha On-Country Mentoring Camps

Small, culturally grounded overnight camps that use Country as teacher and co-regulator.

Young people participate in shared responsibilities, yarning circles, cultural learning, movement, and emotional regulation practices in natural settings.

Focus areas include:

• identity and belonging

• emotional safety and regulation

• positive decision-making

• connection to safe Aboriginal male role models

• diversion from justice system contact

These camps provide deep relational and cultural experiences that accelerate trust, healing, and growth.

 

4. Buwanha Strong Pathways School Program

A term-based, cohort mentoring program delivered in partnership with schools and community organisations.

Designed specifically for Aboriginal boys at risk of disengagement or justice involvement.

Each cohort:

• runs for 8 weeks

• includes small groups (6–8 participants)

• combines classroom reflection, on-Country learning, movement, and mentoring

• aligns directly with SEWB domains and justice-prevention outcomes

Strong Pathways supports:

• improved school engagement

• reduced behavioural incidents

• increased cultural pride

• stronger emotional regulation

• positive peer and adult connections

Ideal for education and justice-prevention settings.

 

Wraparound Support

Across all pathways, we work alongside carers, caseworkers, teachers, and families to ensure culturally safe, coordinated care.

This may include:

• care team collaboration

• behaviour support planning

• advocacy and systems navigation

• cultural connection activities

• mentoring continuity beyond programs

 

Outcomes young people experience

• stronger cultural identity and belonging

• improved emotional regulation and wellbeing

• increased school and community engagement

• reduced behavioural risk and system escalation

• greater confidence, life skills, and future pathways