Leading through culture – changing youth perceptions on leadership and redefining success

Leading through culture – changing youth perceptions on leadership and redefining success

For many young people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, expectations around academic success and career choice can create immense pressure – leading to stress and anxiety, and little space to talk about wellbeing or mental health.

In Dubbo, a new program has helped to change these perceptions.

Leading Through Culture, a 10‑week youth leadership program developed by headspace Dubbo, was created in direct response to concerns raised by the local community. Delivered in partnership with ORISCON (Orana Residents of Indian Sub‑Continental Heritage), the program’s goal was to support 40 young people from CALD backgrounds to explore leadership through the lens of culture, identity and wellbeing.

Funded by the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, the program was delivered to two groups of high school students in Dubbo. In total, it reached 40 students from CALD backgrounds, while also engaging nearly 250 Year 9 and 10 students at Dubbo College’s Delroy Campus – opening new conversations and referral pathways for additional support.

Confidence, connection and support

The impact of Leading Through Culture was reflected clearly in post program feedback from participants:

• 87.5% (35/40) reported improved confidence
• 85% (34/40) felt more connected to their culture
• 85% (34/40) felt more confident identifying and accessing support systems
• 17.5% (7/40) referred into headspace Dubbo for ongoing support.

Beyond the numbers, participants described a stronger sense of belonging within the Dubbo community and pride in their cultural identities.

From pressure to possibility

When the first group came together, the need for the program was immediately clear.

Taylor Nicholls, who was Senior Youth Care Coordinator at headspace Dubbo during the program’s delivery, recalls being struck by the level of stress and anxiety in the room.

“Participants spoke openly about the pressure they feel from school and family expectations,” Taylor said. “Many shared that they rarely make time to focus on their own wellbeing, or that they don’t know who to turn to when things become too much.”

Before starting the program, many participants linked success with having a good job, but as the weeks progressed, something shifted. Success looked different. Success was linked to being happy.

Through culturally informed conversations, shared stories and group reflection, young people were encouraged to explore who they are, what matters to them, and how their lived experiences shape their strengths.

“I saw many students begin to reframe their lived experiences as sources of resilience rather than barriers,” Taylor said. “By the end of the program, they had a clearer sense of themselves as capable, valued and emerging leaders within their school and community.”

A model for the future

The success of Leading Through Culture highlights Marathon Health’s ability to work alongside communities to design programs that are culturally responsive, strengths based and impactful. It also provides a proven model that can be adapted and delivered across other headspace centres within our footprint.

By listening to young people and their communities – and creating safe spaces for identity, leadership and wellbeing to grow, programs like this are helping the next generation lead in ways that are authentic, confident and connected.