For a long time, the Toormina area was supported by the Get Connected meetings — an important ‘services-driven’ forum created with a shared commitment to young people and community connection. However as community needs shifted, the idea of a Community of Practice (CoP) evolved from these meetings with the aim to create a shared vision that reduces working in silos, and comes together in a more holistic, co-designed and collaborative way. By blending idea-sharing forums with practical tool-building projects, this transition is creating a space for both meaningful connection and structured action — strengthening collective support and shared knowledge to uplift and empower young people in Toormina.
A shift from service-based to community-led practice
The young people of Toormina deserve a community that works with them, not just for them. They deserve collaboration grounded in relationships, shared understanding, and a collective commitment to their wellbeing. From this realisation, a new vision emerged — one that was collaborative, youth-centered, and guided by core principles rather than organisational agendas.
Our new Community of Practice was created to fill this gap. Unlike the previous models, this collective is not built around service delivery. Instead, it is shaped by shared frameworks, knowledge, and values that support genuine community collaboration to improve the wellbeing of Toormina young people.
The CoP brings together key members of the Bongil Bongil Community of Schools — a partnership of local schools committed to the wellbeing of young people — alongside essential services, community and members of the Bongil Bongil Youth Collective. The CoP meets regularly, currently three times each school term rotating between different locations to give allow different members to chair and convene meetings.
Grounded in shared frameworks and knowledge
To ensure our collaboration is meaningful, sustainable, and evidence-informed, the CoP is underpinned by ARACY’s (Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth) ‘Guide to Establishing a Community of Practice‘ and guided by the ‘Wellbeing Nest Framework‘.
The Wellbeing Nest provides a strengths-based, ecological model that places the young person at the center, surrounded by key domains essential for wellbeing including: being loved & safe, having material basics, being healthy, learning, participating and having a positive sense of identity and culture.
Guided by earlier conversations from CoP members, the wellbeing focus ‘participation’ was decided on as a domain area moving forward with an agreed domain statement as: belonging through participation
Another key piece to underpin a shared approach within our CoP is ARACY’s Common Approach training, initially funded by Becoming U, the training gives members a shared language and set of principles to respond consistently and compassionately to youth needs. With members trained in this approach, we are better equipped to recognise early signs of disengagement or distress and respond collaboratively rather than reactively.
Together, these frameworks ensure that our practice is:
- Values-led, not program-led
- Collaborative and co-designed
- Holistic and strengths-based
- Embedded in shared knowledge and training
- Focused on youth participation and community connection
The impact we’re working toward
Ultimately, this CoP exists to strengthen and create better systems and support for the wellbeing of Toormina young people, ensuring they have more opportunities to:
- Access services, community and material basics
- Build skills, confidence, and leadership
- Be heard and contribute meaningfully
- Connect with community
- Participate in decisions that affect their community
- Feel like they belong in Toormina — not just receive services there
This is more than a meeting. It is a commitment to shared practice, collective care, and long-term collaboration. A shift toward seeing community as the intervention, and participation as the outcome.
Whilst our CoP is still in its infancy, the potential for meaningful change is both exciting and ongoing. If you are interested in hearing more or getting involved, please get in touch at: hello@becomingu.org.au
