News
27 October, 2025
Creating a sense of wellbeing in our community
‘The future of every community lies in capturing the passion, imagination and resources of its people’ – a quote by Italian author and public speaker Ernesto Sirolli.
‘The future of every community lies in capturing the passion, imagination and resources of its people’ – a quote by Italian author and public speaker Ernesto Sirolli.
This forms the start of a presentation which will be led by Sarah Mangelsdorf from the Youth Impact Foundation as part of the ‘Wellbeing Forum: Fostering Hope Through Some Tough Conversations’ forum at Bowral Memorial Hall today.
Ms Mangelsdorf was herself a school teacher for 11 years and is now a counsellor, positive education consultant and wellbeing teacher as well as serving as the Consultant Project Lead for the Youth Impact Foundation alongside CEO Andy Skidmore, who is also on the board of directors of the Southern Highlands Community Foundation (SHCF).
She will be joined by a host of other speakers and is supported by the Bowral District Children’s Foundation (BDCF) and other local businesses throughout the Highlands.
She has also managed to get 370 students from Year 5 to Year 12 at a variety of local schools to attend the forum, as well as parents and educators sessions this afternoon from 4-5pm and this evening from 5:30pm - 7pm.
Through research carried out through surveys and focus groups with more than 125 people by Ms Mangelsdorf and the YIF, 62.2 percent of responded with a ‘mixed’ feeling about the overall wellbeing of young people in our community, and only 35.1 percent of people answered ‘Yes’ to the question of ‘Do you know where to go for help or resources if a young person is struggling?’, and 56.8% responded ‘Somewhat’, with only 8.1% saying no.
“Currently there is a ‘regional versus urban’ divide, across all areas, with a decline in confidence in the future for young people,” Ms. Mangelsdorf says in her presentation.
“Men and carers have the lowest personal wellbeing, with risk factors including socio-economic level renters, lower income earners and those experiencing unemployment, as well as a lack of general health services in regional areas.
“Relationships are the basis for wellbeing, and young people are reporting being disconnected, lonely, and with no sense of belonging. As our research indicates that we have carried out with with over 125 people through surveys and focus groups, we match the national average. But this decline in wellbeing, even though it is a national issue – are we happy with that in our community? We can do better – we can share our goals, our vision and most importantly share language.”
The schools presentation starts from 2pm today, with the Educators Session from 4-5pm and the Parents & Carer’s Session from 5:30pm to 7pm.
The schools and educators sessions are free, and tickets are still available for tonight’s Parents and Carers session for $15.
To purchase a ticket go to the TryBooking link at https://www.trybooking.com/DGAYY.
(NB: Ms. Mangelsdorf will also provide The Southern Wire with a follow up article as to how the forum went in the coming days.)
Read More: Bowral, Southern Highlands