Youth Futures is an organisation that has just celebrated its 40th anniversary and remains at the forefront of working with young people at risk in WA.

Leading from the front. Renee Clear, Head People and Culture, with Natasha Vitalich

“At Youth Futures we believe that given the right support, skills and opportunities, the possibilities for young people at-risk are endless. We provide young people with professional services that increase community participation and enhance wellbeing.” Said CEO Michelle Jenkins.

Youth Futures has recognised the impact that working with young people, who have a history of trauma, can have on their staff and they are looking at how to best implement a Benchmark Study to better support employees’ wellbeing.

Michelle Jenkins states, “To the best of her knowledge this is the first time such a decision has been taken.” This decision will enable the organisation to better understand the Team. It also makes Youth Futures a rare organisation by embarking on such a unique Study.

Youth Futures will use the confidential individual data obtained during the Study to help identify how best to assist their employees.

The challenge is complex. Individual needs are diverse. There are different generational cohorts. Economic pressures vary across the Team. So, it will be with careful measurement and analysis that the findings will be highlighted across different organisational contexts.

Data will be collected from the 135 dedicated Team. This will help decide how best to offer support, training, interventions and further education. To have data driven guidelines on what is best to offer the Team is a unique position that Youth Futures want to embrace.

“We wish to get a higher-level view of the Team so that with a laser focus we can invest in our Team in the best way possible” said CEO Michelle Jenkins.

Leading from the front. Michelle Jenkins – CEO, with Natasha Vitalich

“Partnering with Optimum to help us achieve this objective gives us the confidence that we are on the right path to provide support and guidance to employees so they can operate at their optimal” she continued.

The research shows that employee wellbeing and work performance are linked.

From the data obtained in the Benchmark Study, Youth Futures will have the ability to build the best possible support and development matrix. The data will help highlight matters like – risk profiles, training needs, educational material as well as individual’s health and wellbeing.

The Benchmark Study will commence in early 2026 and run until early 2027. Optimum is delighted to have been selected to conduct the Study and privileged to work with such a unique Team at Youth Futures. We look to building something special over the next 12 months.

Addressing employees’ wellbeing makes good business sense and is good for those working in the organisation. It also means that the entire Team at Youth Focus will have the opportunity to be in a “better position” to further support the young people at risk.