Lead by Story

14/08/2024

Do you work with or have family members who are young people on the Central Coast?

Last year we launched 'Coastwell' - an online 'well' of digital resources to help young people develop mental wellness!

This was the culmination of several projects we produced for Headspace Gosford, Lake Haven and Wyong integrated into one powerful platform. All the content on this site is co-produced with young people, free for the community to use and created by our team of passionate, socially geared creatives!

Waiting to see someone about your mental health? This 5-episode series helps give you the foundational tools to get started on building a healthy headspace.

17/07/2024

Earlier this year we launched 'This is How We Survive' at The Art House, Wyong - a creative and poetic exploration of human resilience. Now, thanks to funding from Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network we're bringing this work to as many people as possible!

Do you work in a school in the Central Coast, Hunter or New England region? If so, we'd love to talk about coming to share this work with your community (fully funded by the PHN)! Comment or send us a message for more information.

04/06/2024

Fending off some of the winter morning chill today with these awesome socks I was given by the crew at Top Blokes Foundation earlier this year.

In January I had the privilege of delivering a tailored half-day of training as part of their national team gathering. We explored what it looks like to use the power of story in dignifying, impactful and transformative ways. I had such a great day with this team of legends doing vital work to help nurture a generation of respectful, considerate and confident young men.

I was also so stoked to hear how the training was received:

"Your training was, by far, the most impactful we have had at Top Blokes and the feedback from the team has been resoundingly positive...Saying thank you is not near enough gratitude to show you our appreciation for your conversation with the team. This workshop has embedded a yearning in our frontline workers to share dignified and respectful stories in a way they have never done so before."

"Everyone came away with something and loved hearing your poems too. It was very impactful. I think we are "your people" or maybe you are ours - either way, we loved it! It's hard to build trust so quickly with our team as we are very protective of the people that we work with but you did this straight away. Bravo!"

Shout-out to all the Top Blokes crew today! May you keep showing up and finding powerful ways to share vulnerable and authentic stories that create change.

23/05/2024

About last night at Sydney Town Hall..

About 6 months ago I got a call from Veronika Peters at Anglicare, asking if I would help produce a unique creative moment for their winter fundraiser dinner at Sydney Town Hall, raising vital funds to create more safe and permanent housing for women and children escaping domestic violence.

I was both grateful to be asked and also aware of the weight and gravity of the subject matter.

The process involved me spending time with the real story of a mother and son separated through circumstances involving domestic violence, coercive control and homelessness. I was inspired to write a series of poetic letters back and forth between the two, seeking to highlight the multi-faceted harms of abuse, as well as the often unseen strength and resilience of survivors.

I then asked a few friends to help make it a deeply immersive experience. Jon Reichardtichardt produced original scoring, Imke Bester performed the poetry with me, Melisa Bester (AKA E^ST/headaches) brought her stunning voice in for a familiar and powerful chorus, and Ben Procter and Jamie Day created visual imagery that played on screens throughout our performance.

We produced 3 X 4 minute acts that told a story of harm, risk, courage, and the possibility of change, and performed these in front of 500 people in Sydney Town Hall last night.

I started working on this at the beginning of the year, without knowing how horrendous this year would be for Australia’s real and ongoing problems with gendered violence.

Embodying a teenage character, I spoke words that I think I and all of my fellow men would do well to repeat often:

“I sometimes wonder how much this body I’m in,
Carries the same stuff that can make a man violent
But my promise to you Mum, is not to be silent
I’m going to use my voice, I’m going to try to be different
I don’t want to just become another male statistic
I want to be the kind of man who loves others enough
To look in the mirror and face my own stuff”

The performance was filmed and will be released in different mediums soon, so you can engage with the work if you weren’t in the room last night.

06/11/2023

‘Your Road Starts Here’

Commissioned by the Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network and in partnership with headspace on the Central Coast, Lead by Story produced this innovative platform to help young people navigate life after school.

Co-designed with young people from rural, regional and urban settings, ‘Your Road Starts Here’ brings together stories and advice through film, text, songwriting, poetry and a digital journal built around 7 key themes relevant to growing up.

If you know young people who have just been completing the HSC this is a great link to share with them at this time!

You can use our journal on your device to set goals, plan your ideal week and capture your thoughts as you discover your unique road. Note: journal is an interactive PDF. If you save it to your device, you'll be able to fill it in digitally (remember to save each time you use it).

25/10/2023

Lead by Story are currently looking for organisations to partner with in 2024.

We’re a small, agile team of social purpose storytellers using film and other digital media to produce impactful creative work. In recent years we’ve worked with clients like headspace, Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network , Central Coast Council, and Relationships Australia NSW on projects creating better outcomes in youth mental health, disaster resilience, gendered violence and homelessness. Co-design and collaboration are central to our approach, and we work hard to ensure the way we tell stories brings dignity to the people at the heart of them.

There’s plenty of good creative for average causes,
and average creative for good causes;
Our commitment is to good creative for good causes.

If you think your org might be a good fit for working with us, I’d love to meet and share more with you. Please reach out for a chat or share with others who you think might be interested.

- Will.

09/08/2023

It’s currently homelessness week.

We had the privilege of working with Central Coast Council to help produce ‘The Rough Story’, an immersive story-based installation in a shipping container at The Entrance. The aim is invite members of our community into the lived experience of rough sleepers.

It was a huge honour to sit with and listen to a number of locals who know firsthand what it's like to sleep on the streets. They generously and openly shared their stories with us, and reminded us:

“We’re all people. We’re your sons, your daughters, your brothers, your sisters…and there shouldn’t be a stigma attached to it. Because we’re all just people.”

We built these stories into an audio soundscape, combined with portraits and footage. Our goal in any project like this is to dignify these stories. To bring a compassionate lens to struggle and resilience. We're deeply grateful for the opportunity to do work like this.

Anyone can head along to walk through the container between now and the 21st August.

16/08/2022

REECE & MICHELLE’S STORY (told in collaboration with Headspace Gosford and Headspace Gosford and Lake Haven).

In this video Reece shares about experiencing anxiety and depression and accessing support with the help of his Mum, Michelle.

🎧 Listen to our full conversation with Reece & Michelle on the ‘We Made it to Here’ podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1844458/10983297

⚠️This video includes discussion of topics of depression, anxiety and su***de ideation. Discussion of these topics may bring up strong emotions, thoughts or memories for some listeners. If this is the case for you, you may want to have someone listen with you, or talk afterwards with a family member, friend, support person or your GP.

If you need support, reach out to one of the services below.

eheadspace: https://headspace.org.au/online-and-phone-support/
Life Line: 13 11 14
Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800
Head to health: https://www.headtohealth.gov.au/
Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511
Parents and carers support line: 1300 1300 52
Family Connect and Support: https://www.familyconnectsupport.dcj.nsw.gov.au/

05/07/2022

GABI'S STORY 📺 (told in collaboration with Headspace Gosford and Headspace Gosford and Lake Haven.)

This is Gabi's story about struggling with body image, eating disorder and the way it impacted her life as a high school student. Today, she is confident, body positive and passionate about helping other young people. Here's her journey from where she was, to where she is today.

⚠️ This video includes discussion of topics of body image and eating disorders. Discussion of these topics may bring up strong emotions, thoughts or memories for some viewers. If this is the case for you, you may want to have someone watch it with you, or talk afterwards with a family member, friend, support person or your GP. See recommended support services in the video description.

🎙 You can listen to our full interview with Gabi alongside perspective from mental health clinicians on the 'We Made it to Here' podcast: https://wemadeittohere.buzzsprout.com/1844458/10873401

If you need support, reach out to one of the services below.

eheadspace: https://headspace.org.au/online-and-phone-support/
Life Line: 13 11 14
Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800
Head to health: https://www.headtohealth.gov.au/
Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511
Parents and carers support line: 1300 1300 52
Family Connect and Support: https://www.familyconnectsupport.dcj.nsw.gov.au/

24/06/2022

We love 'We Care Connect' and the work they do with vulnerable families in our community on the Central Coast. We've just donated to their Winter appeal - and if you're in a position to do so why not check out what they are doing and get behind them if you can?

We Care Connect Double Donation Day : Make a donation today to support We Care Connect Double Donation Day

20/04/2022

The year after school can be tough and full of questions. It's a huge life transition and many young people face mental health challenges as they navigate so much change.

We've been commissioned to create something to help.

In collaboration with headspace centres across the Central Coast, Hunter and New England region we’re working on a set of digital resources to support young people in this stage of life.

Have you recently finished school or are you in year 11 or 12?

We want to know what you think would help. We want your voice and ideas in the mix to make sure what we produce is actually what you want.

We will be running a series of co-design sessions open to any interested young people in these geographical areas. If you or someone you know is interested in being involved comment below or send us a message.

12/04/2022

To all our friends out there who work in schools.

You made it to the end of another very challenging term. This video seems as relevant and appropriate as when we produced it last year in collaboration with Headspace Gosford and Headspace Lake Haven.

We see you. You and your mental health matter. These school holidays may you do what you need to, to take care of you.

18/01/2022

'Beauty will save the world'- Fyodor Dostoevsky.

When I (Will) started Lead by Story at the end of 2018 I had a trillion ideas of what it could look like. I am a longterm sufferer of ‘more-ideas-than-I-could-possibly-execute’ syndrome. But, over the last three years I have continued to refine what I believe I can do and offer WELL.

Where creativity meets social impact is where you'll find me and my crew. When it comes to the biggest issues we face - whether around climate, technology, polarisation, discrimination, mental health - I believe we best arm ourselves with an arsenal of pens and paintbrushes, instruments and cameras, all the creativity we can muster. We must make things that invite people into better stories. We must play a better song than the instruments of oppression, injustice and unecessary suffering.

What do you think? Can beauty save the world?

14/12/2021

This year we worked in collaboration with Headspace Gosford and Lake Haven to support thousands of young people and their families across the Central Coast through an innovative and creative approach to mental health education in the wake of disaster events. This is the story of how we did it.

09/11/2021

Today's episode of We Made it to Here podcast features a conversation with Rob Waters and Kirsten Kip Booker about the experiences of Aboriginal young people and families during this wild year. This is a powerful and important listen. Spend some time sitting with these words today.


This podcast is created by Lead by Story in collaboration with Headspace Gosford and Lake Haven.

For more resources like this visit: https://www.leadbystory.com.au/youth-resources

The last couple years have been tough for all of us — but often there are unique challenges different groups and individuals face that we can overlook if we’re not aware of them. This episode explores what some of those unique challenges have been...

06/10/2021

Great to work on this little vid for Central Coast Health as part of Mental Health Month. Keep an eye on their page for a new one of these every Wednesday this month! What small steps can you take to care for your mental health?

06/10/2021

Today is headspace day! Which is a great day to be launching this podcast we’ve worked hard on in collaboration with Headspace Gosford and Lake Haven.

‘We Made it to Here’ weaves together young people sharing their experiences openly and honestly, alongside mental health professionals sharing how we can best support them.

If there are young people in your life - whether they are your kids, students, siblings or mates - this show has been made to help you learn how you can support them well through the tough times. You’ll also learn about how to take care of your own mental health and grow your self-awareness.

We’re pretty proud of this. Shout-out to Josh Corkill and Sienna Corkill who brought the goods with the creative production.

Check it out now where ever you listen to your podcasts, share it around and if you‘re feeling the love drop a rating and review on apple podcasts.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1844458

Do you know a young person who is having a hard time with their mental health? This podcast is full of the conversations you want to have, but don't know how. Young people, mental health workers and clinicians share their stories, insights and exp...

15/09/2021

Emergency Ready, Now podcast has just been launched, produced by Lead by Story, for Central Coast Council.

Last Summer we got to speak to a broad cross-section of the community for this project, including many who were personally affected by disaster and crisis events, as well as those who work in the recovery and prevention spaces. Lots of powerful stories and reflections on how the past might inform our approach to the future.

This 12 episode series will be released over the next couple months, and you can subscribe now if you’re interested via the links below.

This trailer was put together by Jamie Day. Music by Josh Corkill and editing by Sienna Corkill. The podcast is hosted by Will Small and Olivia Wolfe.

30/08/2021

A POEM FOR THE TEACHERS....Lockdowns can be tough for everyone's mental health. We've been particularly mindful of the pressure teachers and education staff have been under lately. Help us thank them today:

1. SHARE this video
2. TAG the teachers and education staff you know.
3. WRITE your own short note of thanks and encouragement for all the work they do!

Produced in collaboration with Headspace Gosford and Lake Haven. Poem by Will Small, edited by Jamie Day.

29/07/2021

Got any lockdown lines you’d be brave enough to share in an online open mic? Or keen to hear other creatives share their spoken word poetry from this time? Grab a ticket now to this event we are excited to be hosting with This Electrified Life!

Join hosts Will Small (Lead by Story) and Kris Deminick (This Electrified Life) for an online open mic poetry night. In this time of isolation and disconnection we need art now more than ever. So let's connect online to share in some incredible spoken word and celebrate our local artists. There will...

20/07/2021

Things might be feeling pretty low right now. The headlines can be a little scary. It can feel a lot like groundhog day.

BUT. We made it to here.

And, even if it's hard to believe it sometimes, we have everything it takes to make it to there.

Check out this spoken word poem we created for our collaboration with Headspace Gosford and Lake Haven.

Featuring Levi Grauner, Olive Wolfe (go back and watch their stories if you haven't yet!). A little bit of hope at a time when we need it.

Poem by Will Small
Videography by Ryan Andrew Lee
Edited by Jamie Day
Music by Josh Corkill

15/07/2021

OLIVIA'S STORY

Lockdowns can really kick the wind out of our plans and our mental health. Olivia found that the pandemic meant she had to come back from her international exchange in England and head into lockdown. Olivia, being a writer, found she could turn her chaos into words and reminded herself of what was important; habits, expressing yourself and talking to your tribe. Here is her story...

Produced in collaboration with Headspace Gosford and Lake Haven
Directed by Will Small and Jamie Day
Videography by Ryan Andrew Lee
Music by Josh Corkill

05/07/2021

During this NAIDOC week with the beautiful theme of 'heal country' here is a story we recently had the privilege of capturing.

Levi Grauner shares what country means to him, as well as sharing about his mental health journey in recent times.

This video was created in collaboration with Headspace Gosford and Lake Haven, as part of the Disaster Resilience Program.

Find out more at: www.leadbystory.com.au/youth-resources

Videography by Ryan Andrew Lee.
Editing by Jamie Day.
Music by Josh Corkill.

31/05/2021

It’s been a moment between posting, but things certainly haven’t been quiet in Lead by Story land!

There’s been a few projects in the mix but THIS one is pretty dang special.

We’ve teamed up with to creatively help young people navigate life on planet earth right now.

The program has been closely designed with young people across the Central Coast and integrates real stories, mental health education and practical tips for growing resilience muscles.

The birds eye view includes:

🎤 presenting to year groups in 30+ schools
🎥 creating short films of young people’s stories and mental health tips
🎧 producing an up and coming podcast to empower the support network around young people who may be struggling with mental health and disaster resilience.
💻 creating a digital platform with resources for young people, parents, carers, teachers and more.

Pretty cool right?

Follow .made.it.to.here to see it all unfold and find out how you can support our young people and your own mental health through these unpredictable times.

29/04/2021

Lead by Story and headspace present a panel conversation discussing how parents, carers and teachers can support young people through disaster and crisis events and build resilience.