Wheatbelt & Beyond Youth Mentoring

Wheatbelt & Beyond Youth Mentoring (WBYM) is a grassroots, not-for-profit transforming opportunities for regional, rural, and remote (RRR) young people across Western Australia. Since its beginnings in 2011, WBYM has empowered 500+ students through flexible, school-based mentoring building resilience, confidence, wellbeing and aspiration during critical teenage years.

WBYM connects secondary students in district high schools with positive adult role models from outside their community, breaking the cycle of geographic and social isolation. Students are matched with volunteer mentors, receiving weekly emails and face-to-face support where possible. Consistent connection ensures no-one falls through the gap.

WBYM runs 10 programs, supporting 200 students with 150 dedicated mentors, and proudly partners with the Governor’s SPARKS of the Future initiative—driving aspirations across the Wheatbelt and beyond.
WBYM delivers an annual, fully funded three-day camp for up to 130 students, fostering leadership/mental health & wellbeing/career development and connection. Our Student Leadership Team amplifies youth voice. Additional opportunities include Duke of Edinburgh International Award and advocacy for RRR education.

Funding is vital to sustain & grow WBYM’s impact, particularly in low SEI, disadvantaged schools. Support will expand mentor pools, cover camp costs, and deliver extra activities, strengthening students, families and communities. Investment ensures RRR young people have equitable opportunities.

Mission: Support regional, rural and remote students to build mental health and wellbeing, confidence, aspiration and belief in a bright future, contributing to more equitable education outcomes, as students make the challenging transition from adolescence to adulthood whilst facing the disadvantage of geographic and social isolation.

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