Nurtured Minds and Futures

Nurtured Minds and Futures Mental health care and NDIS supports that nurture the individual within.

23/12/2025

Our New Board & Beyond Group is here for 2026!

This is a small, supportive board game group for neurodivergent teens and young adults, run alongside the Gamers Guild at the Peppermill Shepparton.

Sessions run Thursday nights from 5:30pm - 8:00pm, with an informal start time of around 6:00pm - 7:00pm once participants are ready to begin.

Participants will enjoy table-top games provided by the facilitators (Nick & Alastair), and are encouraged to bring their own favourites.

The group provides a low-pressure social environment, allowing participants to join other tables, invite others, and gradually build confidence interacting with peers.

This group is designed to support time management, planning, teamwork, community engagement, and individual growth, helping participants connect with others who share their interests.
It also fosters the skills and confidence to initiate their own social groups or game nights.

Group size: 6 - 8 participants (flexible to support individual needs)
Start date: Thursday, 29 January 2026
Facilitators: Nick & Alastair

The group aims to join alongside the GV Gamers Guild in Shepparton to help facilitate social connections and safe participation in the wider community.

Register your Expressions of Interest now!

Spaces are limited. Please register interest early by either:
• Emailing our friendly team at admin@nurturedminds.net.au
• Or calling after we return to the office on the 12th of January on 0493 064 425

26/11/2025

We’re excited to share that Nurtured Minds and Futures is looking for a new Intake and Administration Officer to join our team!

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys helping families navigate services, is highly organised, and brings a warm, professional presence to our front desk and behind-the-scenes processes.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you!
To get a copy of the Position Description before you apply, or to ask any questions, please email our Practice Manager, Nicole Wells, at nicole@nurturedminds.net.au

Please share this with anyone who might be a great fit!

We’re thrilled to welcome two new therapists to our team, Alastair and Vivienne! This means we now have more availabilit...
07/10/2025

We’re thrilled to welcome two new therapists to our team, Alastair and Vivienne!
This means we now have more availability for both face-to-face and telehealth appointments.

We’re currently accepting referrals for:
Young people aged from 12 years old
Adults aged 18 years old and above

If you’ve been thinking about getting support, now’s a great time to reach out.
✨ Our caring team is here to answer any questions you might have.

📋 You can complete a referral form here: https://nurtured-minds-and-futures.splose.com/public-form/7b3f0a43-4a2a-4d49-bd55-3e0e57397277
or visit our website to learn more: nurturedminds.net.au

We look forward to supporting you!

23/09/2025

Term 4 Group Program

As part of the Connection Series, the Pop Culture Crew is a club for neurodivergent young adults (18+ years of age)

Love movies, comics, gaming, anime, or pop culture in general?

The Pop Culture Crew is your space to share what you love, meet people who get it, and build lasting friendships.

It’s a club that’s all about connection, fun, and celebrating passions together - no pressure, no judgment.

What You’ll Do
👫 Meet others who share your interests
🎬 Talk all things pop culture (from Marvel to Minecraft)
🎮 Take part in group decision-making + planning
🚍 Go on community excursions together
🌟 Build real connections that can last beyond the group

How to Join
Email: admin@nurturedminds.net.au
Phone: 0493 064 425
Submit a referral form through this link: https://nurtured-minds-and-futures.splose.com/public-form/7b3f0a43-4a2a-4d49-bd55-3e0e57397277Ter

19/09/2025

Term 4 Group Program

As part of the Expression Series, Soundwaves is a music therapy group for neurodivergent young people aged 12-15 years with a parallel support group for caregivers

This group is all about exploring who you are, expressing yourself, and connecting with others in a safe and affirming space

No music experience needed - just bring yourself!

You’ll get to:
🎶 Share your favourite songs
🥁 Learn and play instruments
✍️ Write or choose a group song
🎤 Rehearse & perform together
👫 Build friendships along the way

While you are jamming, your adults can join a relaxed peer support group run by our Psychologist, Billi Fasano

For more information or to enrol:
Email: admin@nurturedminds.net.au
Phone: 0493 064 425
Or submit a referral form through this link: https://nurtured-minds-and-futures.splose.com/public-form/7b3f0a43-4a2a-4d49-bd55-3e0e57397277

19/09/2025

Term 4 Group Program

As part of the Connection Series, Side by Side is a group program for young people aged from 12 - 15 years

It is a space to feel understood, build confidence, and connect with others who get it!

This group is all about growing together in a safe, affirming environment where you can explore challenges, celebrate strengths, and learn skills that actually make sense for your everyday life.

What You’ll Do
🗣️ Share experiences in a safe, respectful space
🎭 Learn new ways to express yourself
💖 Explore relationships, friendships, and communication
🎵 Use fun resources like cards, games, music & videos
🌱 Build skills for emotional regulation, self-advocacy & managing overwhelm
🤝 Problem-solve and learn together with the group

For more info or to enrol:
Email: admin@nurturedminds.net.au
Phone: 0493 064 425
Or submit a referral form through this link: https://nurtured-minds-and-futures.splose.com/public-form/7b3f0a43-4a2a-4d49-bd55-3e0e57397277

Term 4 Group ProgramsNow Taking Enrolments!Running from 6th October - 19th December 2025We’re excited to announce our Te...
10/09/2025

Term 4 Group Programs
Now Taking Enrolments!

Running from 6th October - 19th December 2025
We’re excited to announce our Term 4 Group Programs at Nurtured Minds & Futures - designed to support neurodivergent young people to build confidence, connect with others, and grow life skills in safe, supportive spaces.

✨ The Discovery Series
3D Printing – Tuesdays, 10am–2pm | Ages 16–30
Explore design, problem-solving, and creative thinking through 3D printing technology.
Creative – Wednesdays, 10am–2pm | Ages 16–30
Relaxed, participant-led sessions for self-expression and connection through art, writing, and creative projects.

✨ The Connection Series
Pop Culture Crew – Fortnightly Fridays, 12–2pm | Ages 18+
Explore movies, comics, anime, gaming, and pop culture while building social and leadership skills. Community-based activities in between!
Side by Side – Fortnightly Thursdays, 4:30–5:45pm | Ages 12–15
Talk-based therapy group supporting identity, friendships, and safe self-expression.

✨ The Expression Series
Soundwaves – Tuesdays, 5–6:15pm | Ages 10–15 + Parent/Carer Group
Music, rhythm, movement, and breathwork to build social skills and connection, with a parallel parent/carer support group.

You can enrol now by:
📞 Calling us on: 0493 064 425
✉️ Emailing us at: admin@nurturedminds.net.au
✍️Submitting a referral form through this link: nurtured-minds-and-futures.splose.com/public-form/7b3f0a43-4a2a-4d49-bd55-3e0e57397277

This Friday, August 29th, we’re celebrating Wear It Purple Day! 💜At Nurtured Minds and Futures, this day means so much t...
27/08/2025

This Friday, August 29th, we’re celebrating Wear It Purple Day! 💜

At Nurtured Minds and Futures, this day means so much to us because it’s all about nurturing acceptance, visibility, and support for LGBTIQA+ young people. Many of the amazing young people we work with are also part of this vibrant community, and we know how important it is for them to feel safe, valued, and proud of who they are.

We know that when young people are empowered to speak their truth, they light the way toward a future where everyone belongs, which makes this year's theme 'Bold Voices, Bright Futures' so important.

Wear It Purple Day reminds us that every young person deserves to feel respected and included just as they are. We’re committed to creating spaces where diversity is celebrated, voices are heard, and wellbeing comes first.

💜 This Friday, we’ll be wearing purple to show our support, and we invite you to join us in making the world a little brighter, safer, and kinder for LGBTIQA+ youth.

01/08/2025

New study: Research from King’s College London has given us clear evidence of what our community has been saying for years. On average, autistic, ADHD and AuDHD students experience around twice the emotional burden of their peers at school.

The study shows that school environments expose our young people to more frequent and more intense upsetting experiences, and those experiences take a toll.

This helps explain what many of our families see every day: our ladybugs masking their distress at school, only to crash at home. It also offers insight into why “school can’t” is so often a response to harm, rather than defiance. And it strengthens the link between school culture and mental health.

Researchers worked closely with neurodivergent students to identify which school experiences cause the most emotional distress. These included:

• Peers talking behind their backs
• Unexpected waits in queues
• Teachers telling them off
• Being ignored or misunderstood
• Last-minute changes of plan
• Sensory overload in classrooms
• Losing or forgetting things (and being punished for it)
• Boring lessons and lack of engagement
• Constant pressure to “try harder”
• Being blamed for things they didn’t do

The study found clear differences between groups.

💛 Autistic students were most affected by sensory overload, being rushed, social confusion and peers talking behind their backs.
💛 ADHD students were most distressed by boredom, not feeling heard by teachers, unfair blame and pressure to “try harder.”

You can check out the study here:

https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/336095677/Lukito_et_al_2024-Emotional_Burden-author_accepted_version.pdf

Study name: Emotional burden in school as a source of mental health problems associated with ADHD and/or autism (Lukito et al., 2025), found that autistic, ADHD and AuDHD students carry twice the emotional burden of their peers…”

Lukito, S., Chandler, S., Kakoulidou, M., Griffiths, K., Wyatt, A., Funnell, E., Pavlopoulou, G., Baker, S., Stahl, D., & Sonuga‑Barke, E. (2025). Emotional burden in school as a source of mental health problems associated with ADHD and/or autism: Development and validation of a new co‑produced self‑report measure. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.70003 cr

🌟 We Have Support Worker Availability! 🌟Through tailored support and connection, our NDIS support work is designed for n...
01/07/2025

🌟 We Have Support Worker Availability! 🌟

Through tailored support and connection, our NDIS support work is designed for neurodivergent individuals aged 15–40, helping you build skills, confidence, and independence through meaningful capacity building and social support.

Whether you’re developing daily living skills, feeling more confident in social settings, or working towards greater independence, our support workers walk alongside you with care and respect.

Our person-centred approach aligns your support with your own goals, values, and strengths.

Plus, our support workers are guided by our team psychologist to give you the best chance of achieving what matters to you.

For a more holistic experience, we also recommend exploring our Discovery Series Group Therapy programs, which can further enrich your personal growth and connection.

If you or the person you support are outside the 15–40 age range, please still get in touch - we’d be happy to chat about how we might be able to help.

📞 Call us on 0493 064 425
📧 Email admin@nurturedminds.net.au

Let’s nurture your future, together. 💙

📣 Fee & Services Update - Effective 1st July 2025To our valued clients and referrers:From 1st July 2025, our fees will b...
27/06/2025

📣 Fee & Services Update - Effective 1st July 2025

To our valued clients and referrers:
From 1st July 2025, our fees will be updated to reflect ongoing service quality and rising costs:

💡 Private Psychology: $280/hr (Medicare rebates available with a Mental Health Treatment Plan)

💬 Private Counselling: $160/hr

🟣 NDIS Services will remain in line with the 2025-2026 NDIS Price Guide

🕒 Thanks to recent NDIS changes, we can now offer appointment flexibility in 10-minute increments - supporting more individualised care for NDIS participants. We welcome you to work with your practitioner to tailor appointment lengths that suit your needs and goals.

Thank you for your continued trust and support. If you have any questions, please reach out - we’re always here to help!

Address

108-110 Melville Street
Numurkah, VIC
3636

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 5pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61493064425

Website

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