NDIS Approved Mentoring
and Respite
Supporting Young People to Grow in Confidence and Independence
Victoria’s leading
NDIS youth service
Providing care for a young person with complex needs can be extremely stressful…
You’re juggling challenging behaviours, endless appointments, and an NDIS system that feels like a maze.
No caregiver should have to carry that weight alone.
We understand.
Supporting a young person through life’s toughest transitions is hard, especially with the NDIS. We’re here to walk beside you.
As Victoria’s Leading Youth Mentoring Provider we provide you with:
Trusted by leading organisations and fully NDIS-registered
Real mentors, real experience: our team combines professional training with lived experience
Transformation in as little as 12 weeks built on connection and consistency.
Our simple three step plan
Submit a referral
Tell us about your young person’s needs and goals.
Book a meet & greet
Meet our team, ask questions, and co-design a plan.
Watch them grow
See them gain confidence and independence in as little as 12 weeks.
What They Say
Mark and his team have been an amazing support for the young people involved in our family violence program at Berry Street. Mark is creative in his approach and can easily build rapport with young people by engaging them in what they love most and introducing them to new skills and activities. Mark is a calm and positive role model, who provides consistency and predictability to young people who have experienced trauma. Mark is non-punitive, and trauma informed in his engagement. We are very grateful to have Mark in the care team and providing much needed support to young people and their families engaged with Berry Street.
Susana
Specialist Family Violence Youth Consultant, Berry Street
We have worked with the kickstart team regularly on some of our adventures and outings. They work well with our mission and service goals and so are a pleasure to work alongside. We often refer clients to kickstart who would benefit from their mentoring services, as they specialise in supporting positive change for complex clients. Highly recommend.
Luke Wilson
Director - Paylos Life-changing Adventures
We have been using Kickstart for our young people for 3+ years now. It is always our go to for mentoring & community participation support for our kids!
The Kickstart team are great to work with, it is great and super helpful that they can also provide shift reports and attend care team meetings.
Our experience with Kickstart has been a positive one and we find their mentors to be very dedicated to our young people, always trying new things and persisting through challenges or our young people’s tough times.
Thanks Mark & the team ��
Sarah Simonis
Case Manager – residential care
Hi Team,
The amount of growth and positive change our family has seen in your young person in the 7 months since starting services with Mark and his team is amazing. From disengaged (not in school, study or work) to participating and creating goals. Holiday to Cairns, working on health, leisure opportunities like fishing and 4X4 driving and learning to drive and finding a TAFE course to enrol in. Kickstart is great at building trust and supportive relationships with young people and their family, and empowering our young person to make positive changes in his life.
Michelle Payne
Mother of participant
The staff at Kickstart are wonderful mentors, enjoy challenges, are ethical, enthusiastic, and able to build a rapport with participants, even in the most difficult of circumstances. The Kickstart team are keen to be trained in implementing strategies in behaviour support plans, follow the strategies and seek support when necessary. Rapport building and implementing behaviour support plan strategies allow participants to actively engage in all types of activities successfully. Kickstart really care about all of their participants, time and again I have been delighted to witness participants lives being enhanced because of the commitment of the Kickstart team.
Marcus: Kickstart is a fantastic organisation that provides amazing role models for disadvantaged youths like myself. Before I started with kickstart I was completely off the rails and was involved with the wrong crowd partaking in depraved activities. Through kickstarts amazing behaviour modelling has made me see other side of the coin and motivated me to change my life for the better. I’m forever grateful for Mark and his crew of miracle workers. They changed my life!
Sue Sauer
Behaviour support practitioner
Behaviour and Therapeutic Support Specialists have engaged Kickstart to work with shared participants over the past 2-3 years.
They have provided support and mentoring to participants who were presenting with low motivation, poor engagement, often with feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, and usually with difficulties engaging with supportive service providers.
Their strength in approach is identifying key points of interest for the participant. This promotes a higher level of motivation and participation for the young people.
Kickstart have always demonstrated a commitment to working collaboratively with service providers – e.g. JMC Behaviour and Therapeutic Specialists, which has included training provided for their mentoring and support staff.
Kickstart provide up to date progress reports regarding referred participants, as an ongoing collaborative working relationship is maintained, and highlights key intersecting points for the individual service providers. JMC has always found Kickstart manager Mark extremely approachable and available to discuss referrals. The various mentors in the organisation also reflect these behaviours towards JMC staff, as well as to the participants.
Feedback from participants JMC has referred has always been positive, and included key areas where there have been gains, as well as sense of achievement.
Jo Morris
Behaviour Support Specialist
Our commitment to you
We know trusting someone new with your young person isn’t easy. That’s why we stand by these guarantees:
- The right mentor, guaranteed
- Consistency you can count on
- Relationships before results
- A safe & encouraging environment
what we do
Kickstart provides access to experienced mentors for vulnerable and complex youth
what we do
Kickstart provides access to specialised mentors for vulnerable and complex youth.
Our mentors support young people in a way that suits their needs and preferences.
We believe every young person is valuable, and that’s what drives us.
Before we start working on goals or life skills, we focus on building trust and a real connection.
Our goal is to help young people feel confident, take charge of their lives, and see just how much they’re worth.
Our Approach
We use trauma-informed mentoring to help young people find purpose and direction.
Through one to one mentoring, respite, and recreational activities, we build trust, set goals, and create a plan that fits each person’s needs.
Group Activities
Group activities that build social skills, friendships, and belonging in a safe space.
Day Programs
Day programs that build life skills and independence, helping young people gain confidence and routine.
Respite & STR
Respite that gives young people an unforgettable experience and caregivers the peace of mind that comes with trusted, specialised care.
Who we've worked with
Donations
KickStart was founded to give back to our community. We regularly donate to other organisations doing good in our community and the world.
Mark is the founder and director of Kickstart Youth Services, leading with a passion for seeing young people grow in confidence, resilience, and independence. With over 12 years of experience working with youth, he’s committed to creating programs, camps, and mentoring opportunities that make a real difference. Fun fact: Mark can turn any moment into a teachable one (and will probably bring coffee to it). He loves time with his family, the outdoors, building businesses, and finding new ways to make an impact.
I am passionate about connecting with young people through sports, gaming, and the great outdoors. My goal is to create supportive and inclusive spaces where young people can explore their interests, develop essential life skills, and have an incredibly fun time.
I think this is incredibly important in shaping young people’s growth and their overall well-being. Whether we’re shooting hoops, diving into the latest PlayStation game, or heading off on outdoor adventures, my focus is is building lasting memories and life skills along the way. Being a mentor and a positive role model for young people is what I’m all about.
A Kiwi-born Samoan living in Melbourne’s South-East, [Name] has been empowering youth to reach their potential for over a decade, always striving to grow as a mentor. As Kickstart’s Wellbeing Coordinator, he leads our day programs and works hands-on with young people, making a positive impact and inspiring them to set and smash personal goals. He loves seeing youth achieve their targets and enjoys taking them fishing or exploring the outdoors in his downtime. Let’s go!
I’m a devoted youth mentor, passionate about encouraging and empowering young people to grow, push past their limits and try new things. Outside of mentoring, I pursue my calling in music as K WAK where I rap and produce. I’ve never broken a bone and I love exploring all kinds of music, with rap and hip hop being my favourites. My biggest joys are creating and composing songs and enjoying comfort food like Greek gyros or Afghan kebabs.
John enjoys helping young people reach their fitness goals and develop valuable life skills such as cooking. He loves seeing young people flourish and become independent after receiving the support they need. Fun fact: No one has ever beaten him at GoldenEye 007 on Nintendo 64. His go-to comfort food is anything with chocolate and salted caramel, he’s into all types of music but especially Hip Hop, and he finds joy in making people laugh and gaming in his spare time.
Hey, I am Georgia. I’m passionate about working with young people and creating inclusive, engaging programs that support their growth and wellbeing. With a background in outdoor education, disability support, and youth mentorship, I specialise in building safe, empowering environments where individuals can thrive. I enjoy leading activities that build confidence and connection, and finding creative ways to make learning and development fun.
Hi, I’m Tim, I’m a Youth mentor here at kickstart. I have been granted with the best opportunity to help support our young people and create awesome experiences through our group programs and camps. With lived experience I am able to relate with the youth and help give them the tools as well support strategies that they may need to meet their needs. I am a firm believer in empowering the youth to be the best that they can be. It inspires me to see our young people grow and gain new skills! It’s not so much about what we can expect from our young people, but for me it is to meet them where they’re at and work from there.
Daniel leads Kickstart’s camps with a calm, capable presence, turning outdoor adventures into powerful growth experiences for young people. He thrives on fishing, camping, and 4WD trips, using these to teach resilience, teamwork, and life skills. A former motocross racer, Daniel brings energy and determination to every challenge. Known for his practical approach and steady leadership, he ensures every camp runs smoothly while creating moments that leave lasting impact. When not on camp, he’s often outdoors, enjoying the simple things he loves
Hey! I’m Eden. I love working at KickStart because it gives me the chance to support teens and young adults in living fuller, more meaningful lives. Having faced a few challenges of my own growing up, I know firsthand that capacity isn’t fixed – it can be built. There’s so much to explore in life as a young person, and I’m grateful to be part of that journey with others. Also — around here, I’m guess I am known at the tech/IT guy too 😂
Glenn is passionate about empowering young leaders, helping them grow in both confidence and character. He thrives in the outdoors, camping, fishing, and playing sports, using these activities to build connection, resilience, and leadership skills. Fun fact: Glenn rides a Harley and loves Jesus. His go-to comfort food is Chinese, he enjoys gospel music, and finds joy in fishing and football.
As a youth mentor at Kickstart, I’m passionate about creating connection not only with our clients but also with their families. I firmly believe it takes a village to raise a child and that everyone plays a role in the betterment of the young people we serve. I play footy, love the gym and the outdoors, and have a strong passion for media, creating all of Kickstart’s social media content. Fun fact: I’m Batman. Always down for a chat!
Anthony is a dedicated youth worker passionate about helping today’s young people grow into tomorrow’s leaders. He loves supporting young minds to reach their potential through trust, meaningful interactions, and celebrating every achievement along the way. Outside of KickStart, Anthony channels his creativity into pro wrestling as his alter ego Tommy Hellfire, and enjoys the gym, hiking, meaningful conversations, and of course, chocolate.
Karl brings energy and creativity to Kickstart through his passions in soccer coaching, gaming, fitness, and acting. He’s driven by seeing young people grow—helping them build confidence, overcome challenges, and unlock their potential. Fun fact: Karl has appeared on Netflix. When he’s not mentoring, you’ll find him enjoying coaching, photography, exercising, acting, and gaming. He’s into classic music from the 70s to 00s and loves a quick, elevated curry as his go-to comfort meal.
Hey, I’m Muko! I love walking alongside young people during this exciting stage of life, helping them discover their spark and grow in confidence. For me, it’s about creating space where they feel encouraged, valued, and free to see just how much they have to offer the world. Outside of KickStart, you’ll usually find me on the football pitch or basketball court, out exploring nature, or in the kitchen baking banana bread — my ultimate comfort food.
I’m a Youth Mentor who cares deeply about mental health, prevention and supporting young people in ways that work for them. I’m currently completing my Diploma of Counselling at TAFE and outside of work you’ll often find me at the movies or making music with my band. I love helping build up the next generation and being part of someone’s journey and I’m constantly inspired by the insights young people share. A big passion of mine is songwriting and expressing myself through music but I also enjoy fishing and getting cosy with a good film. Fun fact: I’ve almost watched 100 movies this year!
Frequently Asked Questions
To enroll in our program, simply reach out to us through our website or contact information provided. We’ll guide you through the enrolment process and discuss your specific needs and goals.
Respite care provides temporary overnight relief for caregivers while ensuring participants receive quality support. You can learn more about our respite service here.
Yes, our mentors undergo specialized training to effectively support individuals with disabilities. They possess the skills, knowledge, and empathy necessary to provide meaningful assistance and encouragement. We also provide monthly training to ensure we are up to date with the most common practice standards.
Yes, the safety and well-being of our participants are our top priorities. We take comprehensive measures to ensure that all group activities are conducted in a safe and controlled environment. Our staff members are trained in first aid and emergency procedures, and we carefully assess and mitigate any potential risks associated with each activity.
Yes, we frequently collaborate with external healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive care for our clients. This collaboration often includes consultations, referrals, and care teams to optimize our clients’ well-being. We believe in the power of teamwork and value the expertise that external healthcare professionals bring to the table.