Walking alongside care-experienced young people before, during and after they leave alternative care — helping them build lives of resilience, connection and possibility.
For many young people, turning 18 can mean leaving the care system before they have stable accommodation, income, relationships or support networks in place.
Mamelani works alongside young people as they navigate this transition, creating space for relationships, practical support, learning and opportunities to shape their own futures.
Moving out of alternative care can involve the loss of familiar relationships, routines and support at the same time as young people are expected to become independent.
Mamelani believes young people deserve the time, relationships and opportunities they need to build stable and meaningful lives beyond care.
Explore Our Work →Our work combines direct support with partnerships, learning, advocacy and systems change.
Building relationships and providing practical, emotional and experiential support as young people transition from alternative care.
Learn more →Working with organisations, practitioners and partners to strengthen the support available to young people before and after leaving care.
Learn more →Creating opportunities for young people to share their experiences and influence research, practice, policy and public understanding.
Hear youth voices →We believe meaningful change begins by listening to young people and walking alongside them.The Mamelani approach
We create spaces where young people can develop confidence, connection and resilience while having a genuine voice in the decisions that affect their lives.
We value consistent, respectful relationships.
We create opportunities to learn through experience.
We recognise existing strengths, abilities and potential.
We continuously learn from our work and experiences.
We adapt our work to what young people and communities need.
Young people are partners in shaping our work.
Through storytelling, research and advocacy, Mamelani creates opportunities for young people with lived experience of care to contribute their voices to conversations about transition, belonging and independence.
Explore Youth Voices