Hangout Pathways A Place to Grow. A Place to Belong. A Place to Launch.

Helping young people build the skills, confidence and connections to move towards independent adulthood. Our long-term vision for a supported living community. This project is in development and is not currently accepting residential applications.

Our Vision

Every young person deserves a safe place to belong and the opportunity to build a positive future. Hangout Pathways is our vision for a supported transitional living community where young people can find stability, develop practical life skills and take meaningful steps towards independence. We imagine a welcoming home connected to nature, with shared meals, trusted mentors, a small farm and opportunities to learn and work. Everyday life would bring opportunities to contribute, build relationships and discover a sense of purpose. Each young person would be supported to work towards their own goals, at a pace that reflects their circumstances, strengths and needs.

Who We Hope to Support

Our vision includes young people from around 15 years of age, with age-appropriate accommodation and support arrangements to be developed.
This may include young people who are:

Preparing to leave, or transitioning from, out-of-home care.
Experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing stable accommodation.
Seeking support to build everyday skills and confidence before living independently.
Looking for mentoring, employment experience and a supportive community.

Our Philosophy

Belonging creates the foundation for growth.

We want young people to feel heard, respected and supported as they build their future. Their voices would help shape their goals, everyday routines and community life. Our approach would combine encouragement, clear expectations and opportunities to learn through experience.

Every young person deserves:

A safe and welcoming place to call home.

Trusted adults and positive role models.

A voice in decisions affecting their life.

Opportunities to learn, work and contribute.

Strong relationships and support networks.

A sense of purpose and belonging.

Building Independence Through Real Life

Independence grows through everyday experiences: preparing a meal, managing a budget, keeping an appointment or taking the first step towards employment.

At Hangout Pathways, we envisage young people practising these skills in daily life, with guidance when they need it and increasing responsibility as their confidence grows.

Learning opportunities would include:

Cooking nutritious, affordable meals.
Shopping and meal planning.
Cleaning, laundry and household management.
Budgeting, saving and understanding everyday bills.
Managing time, appointments and routines.
Communicating needs, resolving disagreements and asking for help.
Preparing résumés and practising interviews.
Exploring education, training and employment options.
Preparing for the responsibilities of independent living.

Breaking Bread Together

A shared meal. A daily connection. A place at the table.

Our vision is for a shared evening meal to become a familiar rhythm of community life.

Young people and staff would prepare food, set the table and sit down together, creating space to talk about the day, celebrate progress and support one another.

Some evenings might bring laughter and lively conversation. Others might offer a quiet moment of connection after a difficult day.

Young people would be welcomed without pressure to share personal experiences, with dietary, cultural and individual needs respected.

Some of life’s most important conversations happen around the dinner table.

Employment Pathways

Real experience. Growing confidence. Opportunities to earn.

We want to create opportunities for young people to develop work skills close to home, supported by people who understand their goals. Our long-term vision includes social enterprises that could offer training, work experience and paid roles as they become established.

These may include:

A community café and hospitality activities.
Food preparation, catering and community dinners.
Event preparation and delivery.
Gardening, horticulture and growing produce.
Animal care and small-farm activities.

Through these experiences, young people could develop teamwork, communication, customer service and reliable work habits.

We also hope to build relationships with local employers and training providers, helping young people move towards opportunities beyond Hangout Pathways.

Animal-Assisted Wellbeing

Connection, care and purpose through everyday life with animals.

Our vision includes a small farm, with miniature donkeys and miniature horses as a special part of the community. With suitable guidance, young people could help with feeding, grooming, cleaning and daily care, learning to notice and respond to the needs of another living being. These routines would offer opportunities to practise patience, responsibility and consistency, while enjoying time outdoors and building confidence. Participation would reflect each young person’s comfort and interests, with safe handling and animal welfare central to the approach.

Community Nights

Time to connect, create and enjoy being together.

We envisage two community evenings each week where young people can step away from everyday pressures and spend time together.

Activities would be shaped with residents and could include:

Music and creative projects.
Art, games and movie nights.
Cooking and sharing food.
Guest speakers and practical workshops.
Campfire conversations.
Goal setting and wellbeing activities.

We would encourage time away from phones and everyday scrolling, while respecting individual communication and accessibility needs.

The aim is to build friendships, discover interests and create the shared experiences that make a place feel like home.

Indigenous Connections

Connection to Country, culture and community.

We hope to develop respectful partnerships with local Aboriginal Elders, Traditional Owners and community organisations. Guided by these partners, opportunities could include storytelling, learning on Country and shared activities that deepen understanding of the land and its cultural significance. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, we want the future support model to respect identity and support connections with culture, family and community. These relationships and activities would be developed with the relevant communities as the project progresses.

Looking Forward

A future built on belonging, purpose and possibility.

Hangout Pathways brings together a vision for safe accommodation, trusted relationships, practical learning and meaningful opportunities to contribute. We want young people to move forward with confidence, supportive relationships and a clearer sense of what they want for their future.
Bringing this vision to life will take the right location, thoughtful planning, funding and community partnerships.
We welcome conversations with property owners, employers, training providers, community organisations and supporters who would like to help shape the next stage.

Help Shape Hangout Pathways

Interested in partnering with us or supporting the vision?

Images illustrate the Hangout Pathways vision and do not depict an operating Hangout residence or current participants.