For ten years, Human Nature has been walking alongside young people in the Northern Rivers — creating space for healing, connection and transformation.
Our 2025 Annual Impact Report captures the outcomes, stories and evidence from a decade of helping young people move from crisis to confidence.
Watch our summary video to see how our work is changing lives and building a stronger future for young people across our region.
2025 marked Human Nature’s tenth year supporting young people whose needs fall in the “missing middle” – those too complex for everyday supports yet not suited to traditional clinical care.
With your support, we’ve continued to meet young people where they are, creating space for healing, growth and possibility.
Key outcomes:
63% of young people grew in confidence and belonging, rebuilding trust in themselves and others through safe, consistent relationships.
93% made positive change in at least one area of life, from reconnecting with family to managing emotions or finding a sense of direction.
66% re-engaged with education, training or work, taking meaningful steps toward independence and purpose.
61% strengthened their mental health skills, learning tools for emotional regulation, communication and self-care that last beyond the program.
83% engagement rate, meaning four out of five young people referred to Human Nature successfully began and stayed with our programs.
7.5 months average length of care, far longer than the few sessions most young people can access elsewhere — allowing the time needed for genuine, sustained progress.
This is the first psychological service after so many traditional models that my son has been positively receptive to – and he continues to want to engage.
— Parent of a young person we’ve supported
An independent study by Charles Sturt University’s Centre for Rural Health Research validated Human Nature’s relational, nature-based approach as an effective and scalable model for young people in the “missing middle.”
Key findings:
Significant improvements in wellbeing, relationships and life satisfaction
Substantial gains in self-esteem and emotional regulation
Inclusive reach: 27% Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, 11% LGBTQIA+, 42% from disadvantaged backgrounds
Sustained engagement: average of 26 sessions per participant
The Human Nature program offers a credible alternative to traditional clinical care and fills a critical gap in youth mental health.
— Professor Allan, Charles Sturt University
When Vivani first connected with Human Nature, life at home was chaotic and unsafe. Her stepfather was emotionally abusive and critical, and she later disclosed sexual abuse. She also witnessed her mum being treated badly, which left her feeling unsafe, angry and sad. Traditional counselling hadn’t helped — sitting in an office felt unnatural, and she struggled to open up.
That changed when she met Amy, who was running a girls’ circle at her school. Amy also worked with Human Nature and invited her to join a therapeutic camp, where being outdoors created a sense of freedom and safety she hadn’t known before. Surrounded by others with similar experiences, Vivani realised she wasn’t alone.
Halfway through that camp, she found the courage to disclose the abuse she’d carried for years. With her therapist’s support, she shared it with her mum, and together they left their unsafe home. “I don’t know if I could have done it without Human Nature,” she says. “Maybe one day, but it would have been so much harder.”
The support didn’t stop when the camp ended. Weekly check-ins and follow-up programs like Elev8 helped her stay connected and rebuild confidence. Over time, Vivani joined Human Nature’s youth leadership program, spoke at community events, and began studying counselling and psychotherapy — inspired by the team who had once walked beside her.
Now she’s come full circle, returning to Human Nature as a student on placement, supporting other young people just as she was once supported.
They allowed me to move through the biggest challenges I faced as a young person — not alone, but with support, compassion, and community. That healing continues to live in me today. Even when I face difficulties now, I draw on what I found in Human Nature. It’s a part of me.
For ten years, Human Nature has been walking alongside young people in the Northern Rivers — creating space for healing, growth and connection. Every step forward has been made possible by the collective effort of our community: the young people who trust us with their stories, families who reach out for support, the dedicated staff who show up every day, and the partners and donors who believe in our vision.
The challenges facing young people aren’t going away, and neither is our commitment to them. As we look ahead, we know the next decade will demand deeper collaboration, fresh ideas and shared responsibility. Together, we can ensure no young person is left to struggle alone, and that every young person has the chance to thrive.
We invite you to join us in writing the next chapter of Human Nature’s story — by giving, partnering, or sharing our work with others who care. With your support, we can take the lessons of the past ten years and turn them into lasting change for generations to come.
Being a part of Human Nature over the past four years has been life-changing in ways I never expected. It’s more than just an organisation, it’s a support system that has been there through some of my hardest moments, making sure I was never left to struggle alone. You’ve given me stability, opportunities, and a sense of belonging that I’ll carry with me always.
— Young person supported by Human Nature
To view our current financial statement, visit the
Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission
Please use the account details above if you’d like to donate via bank transfer with your name as a reference.
Then email us at connect@humannature.org.au with the reference you used for your payment or call us on 0477 176 312 so we can thank you and issue you with a receipt.