OUR STORY
spark: change
spark: action
spark: impact
spark: justice
spark: change
spark: action
spark: impact
spark: justice
spark: change
spark: action
spark: impact
spark: justice
Ever felt like being under 18 means no one really takes you seriously?
Like adults make decisions about your life without asking you. Like you’ve got ideas, but people think you’re “too young”. Like you’re trying to find your people, but everywhere feels like you have to fit into someone else’s version of who you should be.
You’re definitely not the only one.
Because there aren’t many spaces for young people our age to just….. exist. Somewhere that’s not school, not home, not another activity or program where adults decide everything. A place where you can show up as yourself, meet people who get you, try new things and know your voice actually matters.
We think every young person deserves that.
Because we’re not just “the future” – we’re living our lives right now. We know our communities because we’re part of them every single day. We know whats working, what’s not and we have ideas for how things could be better.
That’s why we created Spark.
The kind of place we wish we’d had when we were 14 – a place to belong, be heard and know your ideas matter.
Spark is a youth-led community built by and for young people aged 13-18 – a place to belong, grow, lead and create change together.
our vision
our mission
our values
everyone is welcome
- Regardless of colour, religion, disability, neurodivergence, gender
- We are flexible to all accessibility needs
- There are multiple ways to be involved
building community
- Build strong relationships with each other and in our communities
- Opportunities for connection + relationships are key
- Create a community that lives by our values
led by young people
- All young people are heard, valued and respected
- Opportunities for us to start our own projects
- Choices on how we want to participate
- Community support and transparency for us to make decisions at all levels
safety + support
- all young people can safely enter and are supported
- opportunities for young people to safely express culture and identity
- adults support not control
growth + accountability
- challenge each other with new ways of thinking
- courage in respectful disagreement
- encourage people to step outside their comfort zone
- flexible and openness to change
- we are accountable to each other + communities we work with
equity + justice
- we acknowledge systems of power and privilege that exist, and challenge injustice
- everyone’s perspective is welcome, and we amplify unheard voices
- political ideas are part of the experiences of young people
making change
- we understand our power as young people
- be inspired by our peers
- build skills + confidence
- lead change in our communities
there can be no justice without First Nations justice. we will always stand for justice, safety + belonging for everyone. we stand firmly against racism, hate and all forms of discrimination.
🫶 our crew!
✨ what we do
We run youth-led workshops, creative hangouts and supportive chill spaces, share skills for real life (not just school stuff), and create paid opps for you to to lead, create and shape change – all designed by and for young people like you.
We’re here to make sure every young person 13-18 can belong, be seen and have a say!
✨ our approach
Using creativity as a tool to share your voice
how we started spark youth hub
Spark began after listening to and working alongside so many young people aged 13-18 who felt there wasn’t a space for them find belonging, build confidence and create change together.
They were looking for their people – somewhere they could feel comfortable, be themselves, and actually feel understood. A space to build confidence, connect with others, and not feel like they had to figure everything out alone.
But too often, they were told to wait until they were older, or had to fit into spaces that weren’t really made for them.
So we built Spark – a space led by and for young people 13-18 to find connection and belonging.
We embedded young people into our governance model, with the formation of the Spark Youth Collective – 6 young people from across the country who are paid to lead our strategy and shape the direction of Spark.
We started co-designing Spark on Zoom with 6 young people aged 15-17 from across the country, and then ran a series of in person workshops in communities across south West Sydney.
Spark was built through co-design workshops, Zoom calls, Miro boards, group chats, voice notes and a LOT of late-night “what if we just did it like this?” conversations. Together, young people shared what was missing, what felt frustrating, and what kind of spaces actually help young people feel seen, heard and part of something bigger.
What started as an idea became a community.
We launched in south West Sydney as a place-based project in June 2025 – grounded in local young people’s experiences, needs and ideas. We listened first, built relationships and created opportunities together. Read about our Spark Launch here —>
Join the Spark community ✨ 👉
Find us on socials
Spark Youth Hub Ltd is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profit Commission (ACN: 679197178) and auspiced by the Foundation for Young Australians
We acknowledge that we live and work on stolen lands. We honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of Country, and acknowledge their ongoing connection to the land, water and community. We pay respects to Elders past, present and the emerging, and are committed to backing First Nations young people to self-determine their own futures. Sovereignty was never ceded. always was, always will be, Aboriginal land.
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