Company: The Audacious Agency, Australia
Company Description: The Audacious Agency empowers and supports women in business to enter business awards. Their mission is to help women embrace owning their successes and shine the light on all they do. Using their decades of experience in PR and branding, they educate and guide women to leverage the process to stand out and be well known, well paid and wanted.
Nomination Category: Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Female Innovator of the Year – Government or Non-Profit –11 to 2,500 Employees
 Nomination Title: DR TANYA BELL - CEO OF YOUTURN
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes, explaining the achievements since July 1, 2020 of the nominated woman, OR written answers to the questions? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video. If you are submitting written answers to the questions for this category, provide them in the spaces below:
- Briefly describe the nominated individual: history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 195 words used.
Dr Tanya Bell joined Youturn in 2018 and was appointed CEO in 2021. With her extensive background in the primary health care sector, she leads the strategic planning and development to ensure Youturn worlds effectively with partners and local stakeholders to achieve better outcomes for those we help and meet the requirements of government policy. Dr Bell has worked for research and academic institutes, state government departments, as well as non-government agencies including Medical Locals and Primary Health Networks. Dr Bell has led the team through several initiatives including the rebranding from United Synergies to Youturn Youth Support. Backed with her 20 year experience in public sector, non-government and private organisations, her expertise spans leadership roles including policy development, strategic and business planning, business process analysis, redesign and quality improvement. Since her appointment, Dr Bell has grown Youturn significantly to work over 14 locations across South East Queensland, leading 160 employees and helping over 9,000 people. As the recent winner of Sunshine Coast Women’s Business Awards - Professional Business Woman of the Year, Dr Bell drives Youturn’s innovative programs and initiative to find solutions for the growing problem of homelessness and mental health issues.
- Outline the nominee's achievements since July 1 2020 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 245 words used.
Under Dr Bell's leadership, Youturn has delivered several highly successful projects that have made an impact:
- Assisted 9,762 people:
- 553 people in child safety
- 5,413 in mental health space
- 1,284 people with sustainable housing solutions
- 2,422 people supported through the aftermath of suicide. 20,936 appointments for people seeking assistance, 10% increase since 2020, including 9,784 bed nights and 1,226 emergency relief distributions.
Innovative solutions:
StandBy Program - pilot.
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Supports loved ones struggling to cope in the aftermath of tragedy, providing practical help - errands like paying bills, fetching and carrying kids, picking up groceries.
Standard mental health support
Virtual Reality trial
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World first mixed reality tool to bring relief to mental health sufferers, increasing hopefulness about the future and reducing, in a practical way, feelings of despondency.
8-week well-being program
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support for people on headspace’s waitlists, especially given demand for mental health support, bigger than the current system
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Two groups of 12 participants/program - 24 people - helped simultaneously.
Tiny homes
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Partner with the community to raise $250,000 to purchase 2 Tiny Homes to address homelessness - Queensland first partnering with the local council to put Tiny Homes on unused local government land to provide safe, affordable accommodation for young people experiencing homelessness.
- Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the nominee's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 249 words used.
What does it mean for a young teen to pick up the phone and call someone when his last hope was shattered? Or a young girl to turn up on the doorstep, be greeted with warmth, when faced with sleeping alone in her car? What does it mean for a business when its star employee can keep her job, despite grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide?
Youturn collects a range of data telling story about the impact they’re making. The data shows massive improvements in youth mental health, supporting hundreds of young people to find safe, affordable accommodation. Although helping each individual often feels insignificant when looked at from a global perspective, statistics reveal how far-reaching an impact can be.
The impact…
Tom* was 17 when he fled home after a serious physical altercation with his dad. He’s in transitional housing and soon to buy his first car. He’s become a strong, independent, hardworking, and well-read young man, carrying himself with respect and proactive thoughtfulness.
“I did drugs and alcohol to make me feel better. Things could have turned out so differently for me… but now I can see light at the end of the tunnel.” Tom
I have achieved things I never thought possible, including buying my own home. I am so thankful that this service was there when I needed it most.” Matt
“You are like my family, and looking at the photos will give me motivation to keep going.” Noah
- Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 245 words used.
Youturn initially started to bring relief for young people facing homelessness - 17% of homeless on the Sunshine Coast are young people. As people's needs have changed, Youturn expanded its support avenues. Support doesn’t look the same for everyone, and that’s why they can’t tackle the mental crisis of the modern world by offering one-size-fits-all mental health treatments.
Youturn works backwards - first looking for a need and exploring ways to meet it. Not bound by existing processes, restrictions, or typical approaches to the challenges they face. They get creative and go where no other organisations have gone, and that freshness inspires people.
COVID saw humanity retreat from social interactions - cut off from jobs, co-workers, friends and family. People were isolated and fearful of illness. The strain already existed and brought many to breaking point, introducing a silent epidemic of depression, anxiety, and hopelessness. With mental health crises spiking since COVID, the demographic that requires assistance is wider. Youturn had a significant impact on reaching this community, as shown by the figures above.
Youturn is growing to meet the growing needs in homelessness and mental health, becoming a nationally registered housing provider and leader/innovator in mental health. Word of their work is spreading rapidly enough to attract interest from organisations and sponsors looking for ways to give back to the community. Undergoing a major rebrand two years ago has gained a lot of positive attention, seeing more offers and proposals of support and collaboration.
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