Our Mission:
Empower.
We develop and empower our young people for their journey ahead and to dream big for their lives.
We develop and empower our young people for their journey ahead and to dream big for their lives.
We are committed to delivering free, relevant life-skills mentoring programmes that support young people across the Franklin community. We exist to encourage young people to dream big for their lives and futures. By helping them develop practical skills, build self-belief, and explore their unique strengths, we empower them to see their potential and purpose. We believe every young person carries gifts and talents that matter—and by nurturing these, we create a platform for them to grow in confidence, resilience, and hope for what’s ahead.
Game Changers is a free, activity-based programme by Dream Big Trust, empowering at-risk children and youth across Franklin. Through fun, hands-on sessions in local parks, young people build life skills, boost well-being, and gain confidence. Older youth are also supported with career pathways and work experience through local partnerships. Game Changers runs weekly from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM, providing a safe and supportive space to thrive.
Youth Leadership is a key part of Dream Big Trust’s programmes, giving young people the chance to step up, serve their community, and grow in confidence. Through volunteering, mentoring others, and taking on real responsibilities, participants develop leadership skills and a strong sense of purpose. Many start as programme attendees and grow into trusted youth leaders, role models, and changemakers in their schools and neighbourhoods.
Mentoring is a connection-focused programme by Dream Big Trust. Participants volunteer in our weekly sessions, gaining purpose, leadership skills, and the chance to give back to their community. Guided by trained mentors, small group sessions create safe, supportive spaces for reflection, growth, and confidence-building—empowering young people to thrive and lead.
We are proudly funded and supported by several key organisations, including the Lottery Grants Board, Foundation North, and Tū Manawa Aktive Aotearoa, among others. In addition to this vital support, we have built strong relationships across the Franklin community, connecting with local schools, businesses, iwi, churches, clubs, and other community groups.
Our outreach also includes close collaboration with community leaders, and local government agencies. The response to our work has been overwhelmingly positive, with many stakeholders expressing strong interest in partnering, supporting, or contributing to our initiatives in meaningful ways.