Living Learning secures two more years to support young Victorians back into education

This week’s Victorian State budget offered a step closer for Victoria’s young people to access a life of their choosing.

MCM is delighted to have received funds to continue the innovative Living Learning program that provides wrap-around services for young people including mental health, education, psychosocial and vocational support.

The Living Learning program helps young Victorians aged 15-24 to reintegrate into education and ensure they get back to a positive pathway.

“The funding will support 144 young people to get back to school at Hester Hornbrook Academy,” said MCM’s Head of Social Innovation Programs, Sam Barrett.

“We know that the Living Learning program helps students move into higher education, training or to secure work. Our hope is that the program could be rolled out nationally to support all young people facing barriers to accessing education and a life of their choosing,” said Sam.

“The program works because we combine flexible learning and holistic healthcare at school to support the goals of each student, whatever they are” Hester Hornbrook Academy Executive Principal Sally Lasslett said, “Hester Hornbrook Academy operates with a philosophy of ‘wellbeing for learning and learning for wellbeing’.

“This holistic approach emphasises the importance of student wellbeing to foster meaningful engagement in education. The Living Learning program supports this approach and provides Hester Hornbrook students with additional opportunities to develop life skills that will support them both within the classroom and beyond.

“With school refusal identified as a national crisis, Hester Hornbrook Academy, with the support of the Living Learning program, has achieved success in engaging young people in their education.”

Thank you to the Victorian State Government, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing and the Department of Treasury and Finance for this commitment to Victoria’s Young People. MCM also recognises the original investment by the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, Helen Macpherson Smith Trust, Ross Trust, Paul Ramsay Foundation and the Gandel Foundation in the Living Learning program.

“This year’s state budget offers our young people important access to the things they need most. Extending funding for these vital programs is a vote of confidence for a brighter future and opens opportunities for young people to hope for a life lived their way,” MCM CEO Vicki Sutton.

"It is a welcome signal that the Victorian Government understands the scale and urgency of the challenges facing young people and vulnerable communities across our state. We look forward to working with the Government to ensure these investments translate into real change on the ground.”

We look forward to sharing great outcomes over the next two years.