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.
4.8 Star Google Rating
Empowering Young Lives Through Lived Experience and Adventure
Kickstart Youth Services provides specialised NDIS mentoring, respite and group programs for children, young people and young adults aged 8–30 with complex needs.
- Registered NDIS Provider
- Youth-Focused Support Aged 8–30
- 15 Years of Youth Leadership Experience
- Same Mentor Every Time
Get in Touch
Fill out the form below, one of our team members will contact you shortly
- Trusted by leading organisations
- Real mentors, real experience
- Registered NDIS Provider
- Trusted by leading organisations
- Real mentors, real experience
- Registered NDIS Provider
- Trusted by leading organisations
- Real mentors, real experience
- Registered NDIS Provider
Free Consultation. A Clear Plan Within the Week.
Book a free initial consultation with the Kickstart team. We listen to your young person’s needs, goals and current challenges — and come back with a clear, personalised plan.
What happens:
- One conversation with our team . no forms to fill in first
- We match your young person with the right mentor for their personality and needs
- Same-week intake available for new NDIS participants
- No obligation. No pressure. Just real answers from people who genuinely get it.
Free consultation. Same-week intake where available. No pressure
Our boutique respite home is located just 5 minutes from the beach a genuine change of scenery for your young person and real breathing room for caregivers.
What Coordinators, Families and Partners Say About Kickstart
Trusted by leading organisations, families and young people across Victoria for over 15 years.
Highly recommend for this services. My son has been with kickstart for a while now. He has shown more confidence in himself. Talking and interacting with others has improved. The staff at kick start are very supportive and friendly.
Phun (Parent)
The team at Kickstart.
have saved my child, with the mentor program and weekly meetings, has made such an improvement to my child’s life.
Thank you to all of the team.
have saved my child, with the mentor program and weekly meetings, has made such an improvement to my child’s life.
Thank you to all of the team.
.
John (Parent)
We have been using Kickstart for our young people for 4+ years now. Is it always our go to for mentoring and community participation for our kids!
Sarah (Case Manager)
15+
Years of Youth Leadership Experience
8–30
Age Range Supported
12
Weeks Transformation Timeline
NDIS
Registered Provider
Why Families and Coordinators Across Victoria Choose Kickstart
NDIS Youth Specialists
Focused youth support for children, teenagers and young adults aged 8–30 with complex needs.
Tailored Support with a dedicated team of Mentors
Consistent support builds trust and real progress.
Progress Built Through Consistency
Notice real improvements in confidence and independence.
What Kickstart Provides for Young People Aged 8–30
One-to-One Youth Mentoring
Personalised mentoring matched to each young person’s interests, goals, and personality.
Group Activities & Programs
Weekly activities designed to build social skills, confidence, and genuine friendships.
Structured Day Programs
Purpose-led day programs that help develop routine, independence, and everyday life skills.
Respite & Short-Term Accommodation
Flexible respite options in a calm, supportive setting just minutes from the beach.
Goal Setting & Life Skills
Personalised support across daily living, vocational pathways, and overall wellbeing.
Camps & Outdoor Adventures
Multi-day camps and outdoor experiences that build resilience, teamwork, and confidence.
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.
Meet Our Team
Operations Manager
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.
Wellbeing Officer and Day Programs
A Kiwi-born Samoan living in Melbourne’s South-East, 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!
Youth Mentor
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.
Programs Coordinator
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.
Youth Mentor
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.
Youth Worker
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.
Youth Mentor
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!
Youth Mentor
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.
Youth Mentor
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.
Program Coordinator
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.
Youth Mentor
Hi, I’m Jocelyn. I love getting creative! I’m a jewellery designer by trade and a youth worker as well.
I’m passionate about seeing young people grow into who they were created to be. I enjoy building connections, having fun together and helping young people discover their strengths.
Some of my favourite things are playing basketball, spending time outdoors and getting creative.
Youth Mentor
I’m a youth mentor who is passionate about helping young people get physically active in whatever way works for them. I love providing encouragement, seeing young people reach their goals and learning from them along the way.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with friends and being outdoors. I love travelling, photography and hiking.
My comfort food is a burrito bowl, and I’ll listen to anything and everything — I love the art of music.
Youth Mentor
I’m a youth mentor with six years of experience and a passion for walking alongside young people as they navigate life’s challenges and discover who they are.
My approach is compassionate, authentic and strengths-based. Whether I’m offering practical support, a listening ear or encouragement through a difficult season, I want young people to feel known, capable and equipped for the future. With a background in community development and experience in trauma-informed, relationship-based practice, I enjoy building genuine connections that help young people grow into their potential.
I was born in France and enjoy film photography, poetry, horse riding and paddleboarding. My comfort foods are Italian and Mediterranean, and my music rotation includes jazz, Christian indie and reggae.
Youth Mentor
I’m a youth mentor who loves helping young people build confidence in themselves. What I enjoy most is creating genuine connections and being someone they can look up to like an older brother, as well as a mentor.
Patience is one of my biggest strengths, and it helps me support each young person at their own pace. Boxing is an activity I enjoy and can share with participants.
Outside of work, I’m usually spending time with family or at church. I love Jesus, and during high school my favourite food was an HSP — I almost made it my whole personality!
Youth Mentor
I’m a youth mentor who loves helping young people achieve their goals, step outside their comfort zones and discover new opportunities. I enjoy supporting young people to build skills, explore their community and experience new things.
My strengths are building trust, staying calm when plans change, and encouraging young people to do things more independently. I’m patient, understanding and always looking for opportunities where confidence and new skills can grow.
Outside of work, I enjoy sports, hiking, camping, travelling, going to the gym and anything outdoors. Fun fact: I spent five months working in Japan. If you’re into travel or outdoor adventures, we’ll have plenty to talk about!
Youth Mentor
I’m a dedicated father, husband, brother and son. I have a background in youth services residential care, along with a wealth of knowledge from different trades and roles that have shaped me as a youth mentor. I love helping young people shape their lives, achieve their goals and work towards their full potential.
What I enjoy most is making a connection with young people and building positive relationships that support their goals and dreams. I love seeing young people recognise that their thinking and choices can help shape an outcome, then take positive action.
Outside of work, I enjoy playing golf and listening to soul, rock, pop, R&B, gospel, country and reggae. My comfort food is Samoan food. Fun fact: I’m older than I look!
Team Leader
My name is Anthony and I’m a father of three. I’ve worked professionally as a police officer and real estate agent, and I’m passionate about seeing people grow into the best version of themselves.
What I love most is seeing a young person begin to believe in themselves and recognise that they can achieve more than they previously thought possible.
Outside of work, I enjoy reading a good book and listening to relaxed music, from worship music to lo-fi beats. My comfort food is crinkle-cut salt and vinegar chips. Fun fact: I used to make aromatic products, including soy candles!
Executive Assistant
Hi, I’m Christine, an Executive Assistant at Kickstart. I love working behind the scenes—helping with scheduling, staying on top of admin and making sure things run smoothly so the rest of the team can focus on supporting our clients.
Outside of work, you’ll usually find me behind a camera, journalling, cooking something new or planning my next trip—with a museum visit always on the list. My two Labradors are never far away either.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kickstart supports children, young people and young adults aged 8–30 who are NDIS participants or connected with DFFH-funded supports. We work with young people with complex needs, disabilities, trauma histories, mental health challenges and social difficulties.
No. We offer same-week intake for new NDIS participants wherever possible. Contact us today and we will move quickly to get support in place.
A genuine conversation with no forms and no pressure. Our team listens to your young person’s needs, goals and current challenges and comes back with a clear, personalised plan. No obligation to proceed.
Yes. We provide boutique respite care just 5 minutes from the beach — customised to each participant’s preferences. Weekend and full-week options available. New families receive 10% off their first respite booking.
Yes. Consistency is fundamental to our model. We build small, stable support teams so your young person sees the same familiar face — every time.
We provide one-to-one mentoring across our South-East Melbourne catchment area. Young people outside this area are still welcome to join our camps and respite programs.
Yes. Our mentors are trained in trauma-informed practice, behaviour support plan implementation and complex needs support. We collaborate closely with behaviour support practitioners, healthcare professionals and child protection services.
Call us on 1800 229 736, email us directly, or complete the online referral form on our website. We will confirm receipt and be in touch within one business day.
Your Young Person Deserves a Mentor Who Shows Up. Every Time.
Free initial consultation. Same-week intake. No waitlist. 10% off your first respite. Real mentors who build real relationships — with support built around consistency, trust and practical progress.
KickStart acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, skies and waterways across Australia. We recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.
We are committed to supporting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in our care to connect to their cultures, countries and communities.
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