At Outcare, we know that meaningful change rarely happens in isolation. It’s shaped through connection — the kind that builds trust, widens horizons, and offers young people a safe space to explore who they are and who they want to become.
Our recent cupcake decorating workshop with the team at Bake Boss, Jandakot is a perfect example of how community partnerships can create these powerful, personal moments. What might look like a fun morning of sprinkles and piping bags is, for many of our young people, the first step in discovering new skills, new interests, and new places where they feel truly welcome.
The Power of Community Connections
Hearing about the Bake Boss team and the story of Bake Boss “Giant” (Joe) via a radio interview with #joelcreasey we knew this local business was somewhere our young people could connect and thrive. Being invited into environments outside their usual routine — places where they can feel comfortable enough to ask honest questions, try something new, and be supported without judgment.
These experiences:
- Build confidence through hands‑on learning
- Help young people create positive associations with community spaces
- Foster natural, human connection with adults outside formal support systems
- Show them that there are people in the community who genuinely care about their growth
- Expand their networks in ways that feel organic, safe, and empowering
And with every new connection, they begin to see more possibilities — for learning, for work, for friendships, and for a future they have more control over.
When young people meet adults who treat them with respect and curiosity, that becomes trust. And when they realise they can learn a new skill, ask a question, or make a mistake without fear — that becomes growth.
These are the foundations of life skills. These are the stepping stones to independence.
As Toni Bolte, Therapeutic Lead, shared:
“Real therapeutic progress happens in moments where young people feel seen, safe, and able to try something new without pressure. Community partnerships give them those moments. They show our young people that they belong in the world outside their support services — and that there are people ready to welcome them.”
For some, the workshop sparked newfound interest in baking. For others, it was the personal connection with Joe and the Bake Boss team that made the morning unforgettable. For all of them, it was a chance to step into a space where they could simply be themselves — creative, curious, and capable.
Our Thanks
To Bake Boss: thank you for opening your space, your time, and your hearts.
To our young people: thank you for showing up with courage and creativity.
And to our team — especially therapeutic, program, and support staff — thank you for continually building the bridges that help our young people thrive.
Together, we’re proving that community isn’t just a place.
It’s a network of people who help each other grow.
