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On 22 May 2026, Maddy and Cate from the headspace Grafton Work and Study (WaS) team set up at Grafton Coffee Club for a morning of community engagement. They offered free drinks to local employers in exchange for a conversation about their workplaces and the WaS program. The relaxed setting created an inviting space for business owners, managers, and employees to connect with the team, learn more about the program, and share insights about their industries. As part of the interaction, each participant was also encouraged to complete a short online survey.
In preparation for the event, flyers were delivered to 25 carefully selected businesses that aligned with the interests and goals of current jobseekers on the WaS caseload. While these businesses were specifically targeted to maximise meaningful connections, the invitation remained open to all local employers, ensuring anyone interested could drop in, have a chat, and enjoy a complimentary drink.
The conversations throughout the morning provided valuable opportunities to better understand local workforce needs while also highlighting how the WaS program can support businesses. The survey responses collected will offer further insight into how willing and able local employers are to support young people in the program, helping to identify potential opportunities as well as any barriers that may need to be addressed.
Overall, the outreach was a positive step in strengthening relationships within the local community and building pathways between jobseekers and employers, with Maddy and Cate successfully creating a welcoming and productive environment for open discussion and future collaboration.
headspace Grafton is delivered locally by Health Voyage and is part of the national headspace network. headspace Grafton is funded by Healthy North Coast through the North Coast PHN Program.
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