SUPPORTING YOUNG CHANGEMAKERS
We give young people the opportunity, support and responsibility to turn their ideas into meaningful action for the health of their communities.
YOUTH ORGANISATIONS IN OUR NETWORK
Founded by high school students in Sydney, Cosy Companion is a youth-led initiative tackling loneliness among older Australians by connecting students with aged-care residents through conversation, activities and intergenerational friendships.
Health in Focus supports the young changemakers behind Cosy Companion as part of our commitment to nurturing the next generation of community leaders. Through mentorship, project-development guidance and connections across our wider network, we aim to help the team strengthen their initiative and expand its impact.
Our philosophy is simple: young people shouldn't have to wait until they're older to create meaningful change. By supporting independently led initiatives like Cosy Companion, we're helping turn young people's ideas into sustainable, community-driven solutions.
PITCH NIGHTS & CASE COMPETITIONS
HIF Pitch Nights give young people a platform to turn bold ideas into practical solutions for some of the world's most pressing health and education challenges.
Bringing together emerging changemakers, students and community-minded innovators, our pitch events encourage participants to identify real-world problems, challenge conventional thinking and present evidence-informed ideas for meaningful change.
But it's not just about delivering the perfect pitch. Through constructive feedback, diverse perspectives and collaborative problem-solving, participants learn to refine their ideas, understand community needs and identify realistic pathways towards impact.
Because the next big breakthrough in global health might just come from someone who hasn't been given the chance to speak yet.