Mark is the founder and director of Kickstart Youth Services, leading with a passion for seeing young people grow in confidence, resilience, and independence. With over 12 years of experience working with youth, he’s committed to creating programs, camps, and mentoring opportunities that make a real difference. Fun fact: Mark can turn any moment into a teachable one (and will probably bring coffee to it). He loves time with his family, the outdoors, building businesses, and finding new ways to make an impact.
4.8 Star Google Rating
Empowering Young Lives Through Lived Experience and Adventure
Kickstart Youth Services provides specialised NDIS peer mentoring, respite and group programs for young people aged 13 to 28 with complex needs.
- Registered NDIS Provider
- Specialising in Youth Aged 13 to 28
- 15 Years of Youth Leadership Experience
- Same Mentor Every Time
Get in Touch
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- Trusted by leading organisations
- Real mentors, real experience
- Registered NDIS Provider
- Trusted by leading organisations
- Real mentors, real experience
- Registered NDIS Provider
- Trusted by leading organisations
- Real mentors, real experience
- Registered NDIS Provider
Free Consultation. Same-Week Intake. No Waitlist Stress.
Book a free initial consultation with the Kickstart team. We listen to your young person’s needs, goals and current challenges — and come back with a clear, personalised plan.
What happens:
- One conversation with our team — no forms to fill in first
- We match your young person with the right mentor for their personality and needs
- Same-week intake available for new NDIS participants
- No waitlist — we move quickly when it matters
- No obligation. No pressure. Just real answers from people who genuinely get it.
New to Kickstart? Receive 10% off your young person's first respite booking.
Our boutique respite home is located just 5 minutes from the beach — a genuine change of scenery for your young person and real breathing room for caregivers.
What Coordinators, Families and Partners Say About Kickstart
Trusted by leading organisations, families and young people across Victoria for over 15 years.
Honestly the most kind, friendly and amazing energy coming from every single one of these guys! Can put an instant smile on your face no matter the mood, such an incredible bunch of people! Thankful to have been able to meet them!
Mona Issa
Spoke to Mark today who was very helpful and empathetic. He gave great insight and practical ideas….was grateful for the opportunity to chat with him.
Toni Courtney
What an amazing company helping disadvantaged youth achieving their goals. Their respite program is carefully crafted to enable valuable experiences that provide continuous positive lifelong impact.
Nina X
15+
Years of Youth Leadership Experience
13-28
Age Range Supported
12
Weeks Transformation Timeline
NDIS
Registered Provider
Why Families and Coordinators Across Victoria Choose Kickstart
NDIS Youth Specialists
Focused support for young people aged 13–28 with complex needs.
Same Mentor Every Time
Consistent support builds trust and real progress.
Results in 12 Weeks
Notice real improvements in confidence and independence.
What Kickstart Provides for Young People Aged 13 to 28
One-to-One Youth Mentoring
Personalised mentoring matched to each young person’s interests, goals, and personality.
Group Activities & Programs
Weekly activities designed to build social skills, confidence, and genuine friendships.
Structured Day Programs
Purpose-led day programs that help develop routine, independence, and everyday life skills.
Respite & Short-Term Accommodation
Flexible respite options in a calm, supportive setting just minutes from the beach.
Goal Setting & Life Skills
Personalised support across daily living, vocational pathways, and overall wellbeing.
Camps & Outdoor Adventures
Multi-day camps and outdoor experiences that build resilience, teamwork, and confidence.
Who we've worked with
Donations
KickStart was founded to give back to our community. We regularly donate to other organisations doing good in our community and the world.
Meety Our Team
Operations Manager
I am passionate about connecting with young people through sports, gaming, and the great outdoors. My goal is to create supportive and inclusive spaces where young people can explore their interests, develop essential life skills, and have an incredibly fun time.
I think this is incredibly important in shaping young people’s growth and their overall well-being. Whether we’re shooting hoops, diving into the latest PlayStation game, or heading off on outdoor adventures, my focus is is building lasting memories and life skills along the way. Being a mentor and a positive role model for young people is what I’m all about.
Wellbeing Officer and Day Programs
A Kiwi-born Samoan living in Melbourne’s South-East, [Name] has been empowering youth to reach their potential for over a decade, always striving to grow as a mentor. As Kickstart’s Wellbeing Coordinator, he leads our day programs and works hands-on with young people, making a positive impact and inspiring them to set and smash personal goals. He loves seeing youth achieve their targets and enjoys taking them fishing or exploring the outdoors in his downtime. Let’s go!
Youth Mentor
I’m a devoted youth mentor, passionate about encouraging and empowering young people to grow, push past their limits and try new things. Outside of mentoring, I pursue my calling in music as K WAK where I rap and produce. I’ve never broken a bone and I love exploring all kinds of music, with rap and hip hop being my favourites. My biggest joys are creating and composing songs and enjoying comfort food like Greek gyros or Afghan kebabs.
Youth Mentor
John enjoys helping young people reach their fitness goals and develop valuable life skills such as cooking. He loves seeing young people flourish and become independent after receiving the support they need. Fun fact: No one has ever beaten him at GoldenEye 007 on Nintendo 64. His go-to comfort food is anything with chocolate and salted caramel, he’s into all types of music but especially Hip Hop, and he finds joy in making people laugh and gaming in his spare time.
Programs Coordinator
Hey, I am Georgia. I’m passionate about working with young people and creating inclusive, engaging programs that support their growth and wellbeing. With a background in outdoor education, disability support, and youth mentorship, I specialise in building safe, empowering environments where individuals can thrive. I enjoy leading activities that build confidence and connection, and finding creative ways to make learning and development fun.
Youth Mentor
Hi, I’m Tim, I’m a Youth mentor here at kickstart. I have been granted with the best opportunity to help support our young people and create awesome experiences through our group programs and camps. With lived experience I am able to relate with the youth and help give them the tools as well support strategies that they may need to meet their needs. I am a firm believer in empowering the youth to be the best that they can be. It inspires me to see our young people grow and gain new skills! It’s not so much about what we can expect from our young people, but for me it is to meet them where they’re at and work from there.
Youth Worker
Glenn is passionate about empowering young leaders, helping them grow in both confidence and character. He thrives in the outdoors, camping, fishing, and playing sports, using these activities to build connection, resilience, and leadership skills. Fun fact: Glenn rides a Harley and loves Jesus. His go-to comfort food is Chinese, he enjoys gospel music, and finds joy in fishing and football.
Youth Mentor
As a youth mentor at Kickstart, I’m passionate about creating connection not only with our clients but also with their families. I firmly believe it takes a village to raise a child and that everyone plays a role in the betterment of the young people we serve. I play footy, love the gym and the outdoors, and have a strong passion for media, creating all of Kickstart’s social media content. Fun fact: I’m Batman. Always down for a chat!
Youth Mentor
Anthony is a dedicated youth worker passionate about helping today’s young people grow into tomorrow’s leaders. He loves supporting young minds to reach their potential through trust, meaningful interactions, and celebrating every achievement along the way. Outside of KickStart, Anthony channels his creativity into pro wrestling as his alter ego Tommy Hellfire, and enjoys the gym, hiking, meaningful conversations, and of course, chocolate.
Youth Mentor
Karl brings energy and creativity to Kickstart through his passions in soccer coaching, gaming, fitness, and acting. He’s driven by seeing young people grow—helping them build confidence, overcome challenges, and unlock their potential. Fun fact: Karl has appeared on Netflix. When he’s not mentoring, you’ll find him enjoying coaching, photography, exercising, acting, and gaming. He’s into classic music from the 70s to 00s and loves a quick, elevated curry as his go-to comfort meal.
Youth Mentor
Hey, I’m Muko! I love walking alongside young people during this exciting stage of life, helping them discover their spark and grow in confidence. For me, it’s about creating space where they feel encouraged, valued, and free to see just how much they have to offer the world. Outside of KickStart, you’ll usually find me on the football pitch or basketball court, out exploring nature, or in the kitchen baking banana bread — my ultimate comfort food.
Youth Mentor
I’m a Youth Mentor who cares deeply about mental health, prevention and supporting young people in ways that work for them. I’m currently completing my Diploma of Counselling at TAFE and outside of work you’ll often find me at the movies or making music with my band. I love helping build up the next generation and being part of someone’s journey and I’m constantly inspired by the insights young people share. A big passion of mine is songwriting and expressing myself through music but I also enjoy fishing and getting cosy with a good film. Fun fact: I’ve almost watched 100 movies this year!
Frequently Asked Questions
Kickstart provides services for young people aged 13 to 28 who are NDIS participants or subject to DFFH Child Protection Orders. We work with young people with complex behaviours, disabilities, trauma histories, mental health challenges and social difficulties.
No. We offer same-week intake for new NDIS participants wherever possible. Contact us today and we will move quickly to get support in place.
A genuine conversation with no forms and no pressure. Our team listens to your young person’s needs, goals and current challenges and comes back with a clear, personalised plan. No obligation to proceed.
Yes. We provide boutique respite care just 5 minutes from the beach — customised to each participant’s preferences. Weekend and full-week options available. New families receive 10% off their first respite booking.
Yes. Consistency is fundamental to our model. We build small, stable support teams so your young person sees the same familiar face — every time.
We provide one-to-one mentoring across our South-East Melbourne catchment area. Young people outside this area are still welcome to join our camps and respite programs.
Yes. Our mentors are trained in trauma-informed practice, behaviour support plan implementation and complex needs support. We collaborate closely with behaviour support practitioners, healthcare professionals and child protection services.
Call us on 1800 229 736, email us directly, or complete the online referral form on our website. We will confirm receipt and be in touch within one business day.
Your Young Person Deserves a Mentor Who Shows Up. Every Time.
Free initial consultation. Same-week intake. No waitlist. 10% off your first respite. Real mentors who build real relationships — and real results in as little as 12 weeks.
KickStart acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, skies and waterways across Australia. We recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.
We are committed to supporting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in our care to connect to their cultures, countries and communities.
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