Annual Report 2025‍ ‍

The Scale of the Problem

Music gets them in the room.
Mentoring changes their lives.

The challenges facing at-risk young people aren’t getting smaller. Family violence, housing instability, the mental health crisis, and educational disengagement are all intensifying. Without intervention, trajectories are tragically predictable. 

But with the right support, everything changes. 

Musicians Making A Difference (MMAD) is a frontline youth organisation working with young people experiencing mental health challenges, disengagement, trauma, homelessness, and social exclusion. We use music as the gateway - something compelling enough to get a young person through the door when nothing else has worked - and creative mentoring as the pathway to genuine change.

Think of it this way: music connects and engages; mentoring is the scaffolding. Together they become something more than either could be alone - a space where a young person who has been told they don’t matter starts to believe that they do. 

Backed by some of the world’s leading musicians, and long-term global and local partners, MMAD delivers frontline and online creative support across Australia. We work where the need is greatest, with the young people most likely to be left behind.

Every young person deserves someone who believes in them and the opportunity to live their potential.

How Change Happens:
Three elements. One transformation.


MMAD’s approach is built on the interaction between three things - music, mentoring, and mental health - working in a deliberate sequence. 

Every hour invested at MMAD activates an amplification effect. A young person who discovers their worth changes not only their own trajectory, but also their family’s story, their future children’s story, their community’s story. 

Transformation isn’t linear. There are setbacks and struggles. Some young people need multiple attempts before they’re ready to commit. This work requires patience, persistence, and unwavering belief that every young person deserves someone fighting for their future. That’s what MMAD provides. 

17,655 reasons this work matters.

In 2025, MMAD delivered creative mentoring engagements to 17,655 young people - each one a moment of connection, creativity, and care. Of those, 3,145 received intensive wraparound support: sustained, relational, deep-impact work that stays with a young person through crisis and out the other side.

When young people start one of MMAD’s programs, their wellbeing scores typically sit in the ‘struggling’ range - reflecting the trauma, instability, and disconnection they’re carrying. By the end of their program journey, we see an increase in the average from 57% to 68%, moving them into the ‘thriving’ range. This represents a young person who can finally sleep at night and believes they have a future worth building. 

Personal Growth measures a young person’s belief in their own capacity to change and develop. When they arrive, many participants have internalised the message that they’re broken, hopeless, or beyond help. The increase from 67% to 79% represents something profound: young people believing they can learn, grow, change, and create the future they want. 

Numbers tell us what changed. Stories tell us what it means. Jackson, Sam and Jake represent thousands of young people whose lives look fundamentally different because MMAD was there.

This is what ‘thriving’ looks like.

  • Sam's Story

    From invisible to holding the door open for others.

    When Sam first joined the STAR program, just getting through the door took everything they had. Living with significant physical health challenges, mental health struggles, and social anxiety while navigating emerging adulthood, Sam was carrying more than most people twice their age. But something about MMAD felt different, and Sam kept coming back. 

    Week by week, something shifted. Despite physical challenges that made some days harder than others, Sam showed up and engaged with the mentoring. Our Creative Youth Workers noticed the change - shoulders relaxing, ideas flowing more freely, confidence growing. What started as simply showing up became something more. Sam was discovering they had something worth sharing. 

    Sam’s journey resonated so deeply that a national youth mental health support service asked to share their story as a beacon of hope for other young people facing similar struggles. For someone who’d felt invisible for so long, being told “your story matters” was transformative. 

    Today, Sam has built an online community through their creative outlet, becoming a source of encouragement for others navigating mental health challenges and physical barriers. The young person who once struggled to walk through our doors is now holding the door open for others.

    *Name has been changed due to privacy

  • Jake's Story

    From the streets to representing MMAD on the national stage.

    When Jake first walked through our doors, he had nowhere to go and no clear way forward. The streets had become familiar territory, crime felt like the only option that made sense, and his mind was fighting battles most people couldn’t see. School had given up on him - or maybe he’d given up on it first. Either way, that door had closed. He was carrying all of it alone. 

    Music became the bridge. Slowly, through sessions where he could just be present, where someone showed up for him consistently, where he could pour everything he couldn’t say into beats and bars. The mentoring gave Jake someone who believed he was worth the investment, even when he wasn’t sure himself. Bit by bit, he started seeing himself differently. 

    Getting selected for Universal Music’s national mentoring program was a turning point. It was proof that the version of himself he’d been building was real and recognised. People who didn’t know his past - who only heard his music and saw his dedication - chose him. 

    Now Jake proudly represents MMAD, not as a polished success story with all the rough edges smoothed away, but as himself, scars and all. His art carries the weight of where he’s been, and when he shares his journey, he’s extending a hand backward to pull someone else forward. 

    *Name has been changed due to privacy

  • Jackson's Story

    From keeping his distance to speaking for the whole room.

    When Jackson first encountered MMAD's Futures mentoring program inside a juvenile justice centre, he went out of his way to avoid it. For weeks, the sessions ran without him. He had a reputation to maintain and, for a while, that felt more important than walking through the door.

    Then one day, something changed. He walked in with something specific on his mind. He wanted to get behind the mic and talk about loyalty.

    Not as an abstract idea but as something he had lived from the inside. How loyalty placed in the wrong people or the wrong places can pull you away from family, faith and your own values. How he had started to see that more clearly, and what it meant for the kind of future he wanted.

    So he said it out loud, on the radio, for every young person in the centre to hear.

    In a closed environment like juvenile detention, that kind of honesty carries real weight. Young people are listening to each other constantly. When someone with genuine standing speaks openly about something that touches nearly everyone in the room, it shifts the culture. It gives others permission to think differently about where their loyalties lie and where they want their lives to go.

    He is working toward becoming a personal trainer now. He wants to mentor young people. He talks about his future with a clarity that wasn't there before, and that change in outlook started the day he decided to show up.

    *Name has been changed due to privacy

“I love this place so much, and after everything I have received here to help me with my life, if I can be a voice for even just ONE other young person who’s having a hard time - that is the greatest gift I could ever receive.”

YOUNG PERSON

Creating change on the frontline.

  • Futures - Rehab Radio in Youth Justice

    Futures Radio is MMAD’s rehabilitation-focused program delivering music, mentoring, and lived experience storytelling to young people in custody. It provides connection, hope, and pathways for change during periods of isolation. With 24/7 access, the program creates a consistent “village of support” around each young person, reinforcing positive messaging and connection at any time. Combined with in-person mentoring and large-scale broadcast reach, Futures strengthens both individual impact and system-wide engagement.

  • Breaks - Street Support Group

    Break Free is MMAD’s street support group - a creative rehabilitation program designed to inspire, educate and empower young people to break free from negative cycles. Through the power of music, mentoring and community connection, Break Free provides a safe space for young people to heal, build resilience and develop the life skills they need to create positive change in their lives. It’s about second chances, new beginnings and the belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to write a new story.

  • Catch A Falling STAR - Creative Casework (Special, Traumatised & At Risk)

    STAR is MMAD’s intensive creative casework program for young people at risk of falling through the cracks. Supported by Sony Foundation Australia, STAR provides free, tailored support that combines mentoring, creative development, and holistic life guidance. Through consistent, one-on-one and small group engagement, young people are supported to navigate complex challenges, build stability, and shine. STAR creates access to once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, while also addressing the barriers that prevent young people from thriving.

  • Rise Up - Leadership Development

    Rise Up is MMAD’s youth leadership development program in collaboration with Universal Music Australia, supporting young people to harness their lived experience and creativity to make a meaningful difference in their communities. Through music, mentoring, and personal development, young people build confidence, leadership skills, equipping them to become positive role models and voices for change.

  • Keep It MMAD - Independence Development & Community Reintegration

    Graduates of MMAD programs aged 18–24, many of whom lack stable family or community support, are invited to continue their journey through weekly holistic mentoring sessions at Keep It MMAD. This creative and safe space provides ongoing guidance and encouragement from mentors, helping young people maintain positive change, build essential skills, and prepare for independence, employment, and a hopeful future.

  • Creative Youth Wellbeing Platform & Outreach

    Access All Areas (AAA) and Outreach initiatives extend MMAD’s reach into remote and isolated communities, providing inclusive, entry-point experiences for young people who may not otherwise engage. Through music, mentoring, and creative workshops, these build connection, confidence, and trust, while identifying young people who may benefit from deeper support. They play a critical role in early engagement, opening pathways into ongoing mentoring and development opportunities across MMAD’s programs.

A world first.
Inside a place no one expected.


In 2025, MMAD launched Futures Radio, a 24/7 rehabilitation radio station broadcasting inside Cobham Youth Justice Centre. It is the first of its kind anywhere in the world. 

The idea is simple and radical: bring music, creativity, and connection to young people in the place they’re least likely to receive it and give them something to tune into besides despair. 

Staff observed a visible shift in morale and culture across participating units, describing the engagement as unprecedented in custodial settings. Young people counted down the days to Futures sessions. 

Real outcomes followed. One young person was offered a job based on the leadership they showed within Futures. Another reached the Top 20 nationally for the Sony Star Mentoring program - a pathway they discovered while listening inside custody. Young people began co-designing their own futures maps and setting career goals. 

Participants developed practical skills in radio hosting, audio engineering, editing, storytelling, interview technique, and leadership. Staff reported that young people mastered the program so completely that hands-on facilitation was no longer needed. 

“I know there is a bigger future out there for me now and I’m motivated to grab it.” - Young person

Futures Radio has been endorsed by the NSW Minister for Youth Justice, the Hon. Jihad Dib, who described it as “a remarkable initiative designed to help young people in custody find their voice, develop new skills and build self-esteem.” 

Backed by major media partners including Nova, ARN, Koori Radio, and Supermassive, Futures Radio is now ready to scale. We are seeking to bring this program to Youth Justice Centres nationally - reaching more than 2,000 young people annually at a fraction of the cost of detention.

“Futures has opened up my world to a bigger future, and now I’m motivated every day.” - Young person

“When you listen to music there’s a safe bubble around you and you can just escape reality. You can escape your homelife, breakups, stress, abuse, depression, problems in general.”

YOUNG PERSON

The science behind the music.


In 2025, researchers from Edith Cowan University published an independent peer-reviewed study in Music Education Research - conducted right here at MMAD - confirming what we have always known: music and the right people in your corner can change a life. 

The study followed young people experiencing mental illness, homelessness, trauma, and social exclusion through MMAD’s program. The findings were unambiguous. 

Music provides immediate self-regulation - a safe space where young people can process what they cannot yet say out loud, creative mentoring builds connection, identity, and genuine hope for the future, together, they form a clinically-validated platform for sustained growth and recovery.

The researchers concluded that music functions not just as an art form, but as a lifeline - and that the mentors who walk alongside young people in that journey make all the difference. 

The team at MMAD have always known this. They have both lived it and witnessed it. 

Now the research confirms it. 

Goopy, J. (2026). Young people healing and growing in trauma-informed positive music education. Music Education Research, 28(1), 53–65. https://doi.org/10.1080/14613808.2025.2591059

“You’ve inspired me to have a dream. I wanna be someone that helps people, too.”

YOUNG PERSON

A note from our MMAD Chairperson


After 8 years as Chair of MMAD, this is my final report, and it feels like an appropriate moment to reflect on both the year just passed and MMAD over my time in this family. 

Unfortunately, over the 8 years, the need for MMAD’s services has only increased. Nearly one in two young Australians aged 18 to 25 now report high or very high levels of psychological distress, a dramatic increase in a very short period of time. These figures are confronting, but they also reinforce why MMAD’s work continues to matter so deeply. Despite this,  I have also witnessed something consistently hopeful. When young people are given space, creative outlets, and genuine support, and feel that they have someone who believes in them, real change occurs. Confidence grows, identity strengthens, beliefs and behaviours shift, and futures begin to feel possible again. These quieter moments of transformation are at the heart of MMAD’s impact and remain a constant source of inspiration for the organisation’s evolution.

In 2025, MMAD reached more than 19,000 young people. Each number represents a moment of connection, creativity and care. It is a testament to the commitment of the small team and the strength of the organisation that this growth has been achieved while maintaining the quality and integrity of delivery. This year also marked an important period of organisational renewal and building the capacity for the future. A thoughtful restructure strengthened senior leadership capacity and positioned MMAD for future scale, sustainability and succession. 

This renewal and capacity building included the board, with the addition of new Directors bringing expertise across governance, strategy, marketing, fundraising, youth development and communications. Importantly, MMAD continues to prioritise alignment between governance and delivery, with Board members maintaining a close understanding of the work on the ground. Program delivery has doubled over the year, while impact measurements across flagship programs have remained strong and consistent. It is encouraging to see national impact beginning to take shape without compromising the quality of outcomes for young people.

One of the most significant achievements has been the conclusion of the rehabilitation radio pilot, a concept first developed by MMAD in 2008 and now operating as a 24-hour broadcast within juvenile detention. Engagement has far exceeded expectations, with young people tuning in for an average of 14 hours each week and voluntarily participating at very high rates. Early outcomes indicate increased confidence, greater hope and active planning for a crime-free future. The potential to scale this work nationally is both exciting and deeply needed.

MMAD has also continued to contribute meaningfully to the broader sector, through national conferences, community activations, creative campaigns and performances that amplify the voices of young people and the talent within the organisation.

A further milestone this year was the publication of independent research by Edith Cowan University that validated MMAD’s trauma-informed, music-based approach. This research has underpinned and added credibility to what the organisation has long known to be effective through practice.

As I step away from the role of Chair, what stays with me most is the exceptional resilience and skills of the young people MMAD has seen through its programs, and the desire of those whose lives improve to return to MMAD and help others. May I take this opportunity to thank my fellow board members, the staff, and volunteers for their continued dedication and belief in MMAD and what it can achieve as an organisation.

MMAD is entering a new chapter, with a refreshed board, a strong focus on our people, and new opportunities to reach young people who need our support. What has never changed is MMAD’s heart, our belief in young people’s potential, and our commitment to walking alongside them as they navigate life’s challenges.

The past eight years have been a privilege and a deeply humbling journey. I leave with enormous pride in what we have built together and complete confidence in the team who will carry this work forward, continuing to make a real difference in the lives of young people for many years to come.

Geraint Davies



A Note in Response from our Founders

Dear Geraint,

It’s hard to put into words just how much these past eight years have meant. You haven’t just led our charity, you’ve held it, protected it, and nurtured it with genuine heart and wisdom. The care you’ve shown for our team and young people has always been deeply personal, and that’s what makes your impact so special.

We’ll always remember the moments you spoke about MMAD and our young people with tears in your eyes - quiet reflections of your conviction and connection to our cause. To have someone lead our charity with that kind of heart has been the greatest gift. You’ve given your time, your patience, and your whole self so generously, guiding us through growth, navigating challenges with grace and humility, championing so many memorable wins, and helping shape the strong, values-driven team we are today.

The role of Chair is such an important one in our MMAD world, and it has been held by a person who will forever be important to us. We are so grateful for everything you’ve given, and for who you are, and we'll continue to make you proud.

Love,
Dom & Em

What your investment makes possible.


MMAD is entering a new chapter. A refreshed board, strengthened senior leadership, and a program model that has just been independently validated by peer-reviewed research. The infrastructure is in place. The evidence is compelling. What comes next depends on sustained investment. 

In 2026, MMAD’s priorities include scaling Futures Radio to Youth Justice Centres nationally, deepening impact measurement to continue building the evidence base, and growing the reach of our community and online programs to meet escalating demand. We are seeking partnerships with foundations, government departments, and corporate supporters who share our belief that every young person deserves someone fighting for their future. 

We couldn’t make the impact we do without our incredible partners who have become family to MMAD. Their support, belief in our mission and generosity lift us every step of the way. Together, we’ve navigated challenges, celebrated wins and created life-changing opportunities for young people across the country. A heartfelt thank you to every one of our amazing partners - you make this work possible, and we’re so grateful to have you in the MMAD family.

Stable, transparent and accountable.


The not-for-profit sector faced one of its most difficult funding environments in recent memory throughout 2025, and MMAD was not immune to those pressures. Yet through careful stewardship, the steadfast commitment of our Board, and the generous support of our funding partners and donors, we closed the year in a stable financial position. This foundation allows us to look forward with purpose — continuing to diversify our income base and channel renewed investment into the strategic initiatives that will drive our long-term impact. 

MMAD is committed to financial transparency. Our full audited financial statements are available on the Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission (ACNC) platform.

For funding enquiries, please contact charity@mmad.org.au.