At Opendoor, we know that confidence often grows when young people are given the space to explore the things they genuinely care about.
Recently, a young person supported through Opendoor’s Better Futures program visited Werribee Mansion for a community engagement activity built around their strong interest in history.
The 19 year old has been involved with Better Futures for almost three years and has a deep passion for the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Outside of history, they also enjoy writing and composing music.
Their interest in the period goes far beyond books and documentaries. They are fascinated by historical figures including Charles Dickens, Charles Darwin, Queen Victoria, and Beethoven, and enjoy learning about the lives, culture, and traditions of the time.
Knowing how meaningful this interest was, the Better Futures team organised a visit to Werribee Mansion.
On the day, the young person chose to wear period style clothing to fully immerse themselves in the experience. It was not something they were asked to do. It was simply an expression of something they genuinely love.
From the moment they arrived, their excitement was clear.
As they explored the mansion, they confidently shared detailed historical knowledge with staff and visitors, speaking about hunting competitions once held on the grounds, historical artefacts and their uses, and stories about the family who once lived there.
What started as a visit quickly became something much bigger.
Visitors stopped to speak with them. People asked questions. Others asked to take photographs together. Staff at the mansion were impressed by both the depth of knowledge and the passion they brought to the experience.
Most importantly, the young person felt comfortable enough to engage openly and confidently with people around them.
The experience even led to conversations about future volunteering opportunities at the mansion, with staff providing information about pathways to become involved.
For the Better Futures team, moments like this matter deeply.
Community experiences are not simply outings. They create opportunities for young people to build confidence, strengthen social connection, explore their interests, and recognise the value they bring to the world around them.
Better Futures supported the experience by coordinating the visit, providing transport, and covering associated costs including lunch. More importantly, the program created an environment where a young person felt supported to be themselves.
At Opendoor, we believe every young person deserves opportunities to feel included, respected, and connected to their community.
Sometimes those opportunities begin with something as simple as being encouraged to follow a passion.
Connect with us
Find out more about Better Futures – Opendoor | Better Futures
