Abseil for Youth is Sir David Martin Foundation’s annual major fundraiser. Register your interest to abseil, zipline or both, to raise money for youth in crisis in October 2020.

All funds raised support young people overcoming drug and alcohol addiction and mental health issues at Triple Care Farm. You can show your support and Donate now.

When and where

Registration and fundraising

Read what you need to know before you get started and what to expect on the day.

Other ways to get involved

Want to keep your feet firmly on the ground? Help the Sir David Martin Foundation raise $3 million for Triple Care Farm through the event and support a participant or donate now.

It costs $27,000 for just one young person to complete the 12 week program at Triple Care Farm.

Change the life of a young person visiting Triple Care Farm and donate:

Thank you to our sponsors

Abseil for Youth would not be possible without the support and generosity of our major event partners and sponsors.

Abseil for Youth is proudly supported by Investa Property Group and Urban Descent has raised more than $2.6 million since starting in 2010. Join us this year, and help us reach our $3 million target!

Visit the Abseil for Youth site to register or donate now.

 

Four years of struggle and despair, without support, and surviving drug and alcohol addiction, physical injury and suicide attempts – this should not have been the pathway for any young man.

After surviving drug and alcohol addiction, physical injury and suicide attempts – Max, now aged 20, found Triple Care Farm. He knows that in spite of all he has gone through, he has been given a lifeline.

School was challenging due to undiagnosed learning difficulties. At 16, he suffered a fractured vertebra in a sporting injury. In addition, he was disconnected from his family, became homeless and was expelled from school. He felt overwhelmed. Suddenly, he was no longer able to play football and was left without the one thing that he felt gave him purpose.

“I didn’t really have much else to do at the time. I didn’t really know too much about myself and I didn’t know much about anything else other than playing footy at that time. So, when that was off the tables, my turn to drugs came into place.”

Within a short span of time, Max’s life had completely lost focus. When the rest of his friends were studying for their final year High School Certificate (HSC), he was couch surfing and then ended up sleeping in the back of his car.

“I wouldn’t be up before midday if I was to get any sleep. I was drinking most days of the week – using different drugs. No exercise. My health was horrible, mental health was horrible. Once every couple of weeks I’d end up in hospital due to an overdose or something to do with mental health. I was sometimes in trouble with the law. Nothing was bright. Everything was off. It was hard to find a job to support myself. Any money I could get my hands on I would drink it.”

We know that addiction is a medical and social problem and sadly, Max’s life got worse. A suicide attempt left him in a coma with a head injury and he spent months in rehabilitation and hospital, learning to walk and talk again.

His own need for survival led to a turning point on his personal pathway to help. He describes it as a pivotal point in his life, where he realised that he had been given a second chance. He took himself to the hospital and went to an adult rehabilitation clinic for two months before he found Triple Care Farm.

Here in a place of support and care, Max felt a genuine glimmer of hope. The program is suited to his needs – helping young people with both mental health and drug and alcohol issues. He was also hoping to find support for the parts of his life he’d fallen behind in, such as living skills. Triple Care Farm felt like a lifeline…his final hope.

Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, Max has almost completed the 12-week program. He is surrounded by people his own age who are supportive of each other’s journeys. No longer alone, he belongs and has a community of love and support around him. Slowly, his self-esteem is building as he works with staff to pick himself up and feel equipped to return to the community.

Part of his treatment is Music Therapy. Music was once a big part of his life, but Max hadn’t picked up an instrument since school. He has lost a lot of coordination from his head injury, so returning to the drums has been difficult, but it has also brought back many happy memories. You can see his face light up when he plays the drums – determined to get back to his previous ability.

The power of connection and belonging helps young people like Max have the strength to turn their lives around. Your donation ensures that Max and others like him have support – he has a home, a care program and a future – nothing he thought he would have whilst sleeping in the back of his car.

Max wanted to share his story in the hope of helping others like him. Your support will truly take someone from a life of despair and isolation, to a life of hope and connection. Make a donation.

Investa Property Group has been supporting Sir David Martin Foundation in our Abseil for Youth event for many years, helping to raise vital funds for young people in crisis.

Recently, a group from Investa had the opportunity to visit Triple Care Farm to see first hand how their support helps transform young lives. Triple Care Farm supports young people aged 16-24 years old with drug and alcohol addiction and mental health issues. The farm has two residential programs – Triple Care Farm Rehabilitation and Triple Care Farm Withdrawal – where students are given the support they need to find their feet and move back into the community.

This is a home away from home for the students, so having Investa there to help keep it all in order was a wonderful contribution. It was great to see the young people getting involved in the working bee and doing their part to tidy up the farm.

Thanks again to the Investa crew for volunteering their time to keep the property tidy, and also to the Triple Care Farm staff for cooking a delicious lunch for all to enjoy. It was a rewarding day.

Learn more about how you can get involved with Martin Youth Foundation here.

The Royal Australian Naval Sailing Association (RANSA) and its members have supported Sir David Martin Foundation for many years.

This year we were lucky to watch the race from ‘Boomerang’, an Edwardian gentleman’s schooner which is maintained by volunteers at the Sydney Heritage Fleet. It was for these lucky sailors that the My Kitchen Rules contestants had the challenge of cooking lunch for on the beautiful Sydney Harbour.

To all the RANSA officers and volunteers, thank you for a very enjoyable day and for your loyal support of our foundation and our young people.

If you missed the episode, you can catch up here. 

Find out more about the young people we support.

On a recent sunny Sunday, Anna Beaumont and Lady Martin spent the day on Sydney Harbour, as guests of the Commodore and Flag Officers of Royal Australian Naval Sailing Association (RANSA). The Club and its members have supported Sir David Martin Foundation for many years and they also annually host the very popular Pirates’ Day, when students of Triple Care Farm are invited on board boats for a day of racing, fun and water fights.

Triple Care Farm is our funded program – a youth drug and alcohol rehabilitation program that helps young people with substance addiction, homelessness and mental health issues.

This year we were lucky to watch the race from ‘Boomerang’, an Edwardian gentleman’s schooner which is maintained by volunteers at the Sydney Heritage Fleet. It’s a beautifully restored vessel and the volunteer crew took great care while cruising in the harbour.

To all the RANSA officers and volunteers, thank you for a very enjoyable day and for your loyal support of our foundation and our young people.

The Board of Governors of Sir David Martin Foundation announce the appointment of Helen Connealy as General Manager.

Chairman of the Board, Michael Crowley comments, “Helen brings the right balance of passion for our cause, leadership, strategic direction and fundraising experience to lead our great team in our mission to help young people in crisis.”

About Helen:

Helen has led a range of not for profit organisations through periods of transition and transformation. Previously Executive Officer with the Australian Podiatry Association (NSW&ACT), Helen has held CEO roles with Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia (Australia), Mary MacKillop Foundation and the Kolling Foundation at Royal North Shore Hospital.

She brings over 25 years’ experience in strategy development, stakeholder engagement, income generation and marketing across a broad range of sectors including health, education and community services. She is also a Leadership Hub Chair for the NonProfit Alliance, facilitating leadership programs and mentoring senior executives. An advocate for women and young people, she is passionate about philanthropy and building social impact.

She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), an accredited Strengths Profiler, and a member of AICD, Women on Boards and the Fundraising Institute of Australia.

 

The Southern Highlands’ fog welcomed guests as they made their way up Jamberoo Mountain to Mission Australia’s youth drug and alcohol rehabilitation program, Triple Care Farm.

It was a wonderful sight to see so many loved ones gathered around to cheer on their son/daughter/grandchild/brother/sister/friend as they graduated from this life-changing program.

Each student had their moment to accept their Graduation Certificate handed out by Lady Martin. A few young people were awarded a Sir David Martin Foundation Scholarship to support them as they pursue further education and employment.

A couple of young people performed heartfelt music pieces they had been working on during rehab.

Not to mention the speeches, which were incredibly moving. Two mothers spoke about how the farm has transformed their daughters. One of the students bravely stood up to talk about her experiences at the farm and said, “Your support changes lives.”

With the new Triple Care Farm Withdrawal Program in place, double the amount of young people were supported back to health this past year. Thank you for your commitment to making the vision of a youth detox facility, a reality.

Because of the generosity of the community, youth in crisis are provided the care and love they need to turn their lives around. It is the kind of care and love that achieves long-term change. That is something to celebrate!

“My esteem is heightened, my confidence is bursting and my overall outlook of myself and the future is one of excitement and happiness. I also see the importance of making positive contributions towards my physical and psychological self, those around me, and the society I live in…in retrospect, my decision to admit myself here, and follow through on inhabiting the farm for three months has been the most difficult challenge I have completed, and as a by-product, the most rewarding.” – Graduate 2018

It’s never easy for a young person to put up their hand and ask for help with drug and alcohol addiction, but when they do – the chance for change steps in.

Shyla first applied to detox from drugs at youth detoxification program, David Martin Place. She was then able to transition into rehabiliation at Triple Care Farm to learn how to turn her life around long-term.

At the farm, Shyla enjoyed the opportunity to focus on her health and fitness and made use of the gym which is available to students during rehab.

After completing the program, she was given the chance to visit SDMF ambassador and professional boxer, Ben Savva at Boxing Works Australia gym in the city.

It was a special moment for Shyla to be able to train with Ben and also his partner, Vivian, who were both encouraging role models to spend time with.

Boxing Works Australia generously gave Shyla a gym memebrship to support her journey to a healther lifestyle – free from addiction.

It is wonderful to see young people gaining control of their life and pushing through difficult circumstances.

Your generosity makes this possible. Thank you.

Youth mental health in Australia

Almost half of all Australians will experience a mental health issues in their lifetime.

Mental health is one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century.

Depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders are the most common types of mental illnesses experienced by young Australians. These often occur in combination.

Mission Australia’s 2017 Youth Mental Health Report found that one in five young people (15-19years) met the criteria for serious mental illness. Unfortunately, 54% of people suffering a mental disorder do not get treatment.

This report shows that the top three issues of personal concern amongst young Australians are:

Mental illnesses most common among young Australians

Facts about mental illness in Australia

The number of deaths by suicide in young Australians is the highest it has been in 10 years.

Suicide accounts for the deaths of more young people than car accidents and skin cancer.

Every day at least six Australians will die from suicide, and 30 more will attempt suicide. It is estimated that 65,300 people try to commit suicide each year.2

Mental Health is multilayered, and is determined by numerous factors. Substance abuse and mental health are often inter-related. While individuals turn to substance abuse as a coping mechanism for deeper issues, the effects of drugs and alcohol can be detrimental to one’s mental wellbeing,

Getting treatment is key to recovery. 75% of people who receive treatment experience notable improvement3. It is important to break down the stigma of mental illness so that those impacted are not afraid to ask for help.

Read our summary of Mission Australia’s 2018 Youth Report to learn more about issues facing young people (15-19 years of age) in Australia today.

Where you can find help

Sir David Martin Foundation funds two youth drug and alcohol residential programs – Triple Care Farm rehabilitation program and Triple Care Farm withdrawal program (for 16-24 year olds).

For further support, contact:

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800

Beyondblue: 1300 22 4636

Family Drug Support: 1300 368 186 (24/7 crisis support)

How you can help

Early intervention is key. Our funded youth programs at Triple Care Farm provide support for young people at a critical age. With the right support at the right time, young people have a better chance at breaking the cycle of issues like addiction and homelessness before it is too late. Click here to show your support and help save a young life today.

1https://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/9DA8CA21306FE6EDCA257E2700016945/%24File/child2.pdf

2National Mental Health Commission. (2013). A Contributing Life, the 2013 National Report Card on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. NMHC, Sydney.

3Department of Health and Ageing. (2013). National Mental Health Report 2013: tracking progress of

There are more young homeless Australians than you might think

The most recent census shows nearly 60% of people experiencing homelessness in Australia are aged 34 years & under.

As well as rough sleepers (who make up 6% of the homeless population), homelessness includes those staying in overcrowded or inappropriate accommodation, sleeping in cars, or staying on couches.

This means that youth homelessness numbers are underestimated in most census data.

Homelessness is often hidden from your view

When people think of homelessness, they most likely picture a person sleeping rough on the street.

According to Mission Australia, couch surfing is often the first and most common way young people experience homelessness.

A 2016 Cost of Youth Homelessness in Australia Study reported 86 percent of homeless youth had couch surfed before age 18.

Homelessness is complex

Homelessness can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

Where you can find help

Sir David Martin Foundation funds two youth drug and alcohol residential programs – Triple Care Farm rehabilitation program and Triple Care Farm withdrawal program (for 16-24 year olds).

These are not specifically homeless relief services, however, over 30% of young people are homeless when they join the program. These are youth specific, holistic programs that help young people with substance addiction and mental health issues.

Contact Homelessness NSW for further support.

How you can help

Early intervention is key. Our funded youth programs provide support for young people at a critical age. With the right support at the right time, young people have a better chance at breaking the cycle of issues like addiction and homelessness before it is too late. Click here to show your support and help save a young life today.

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