Why did you set up an organisation?

When we set up Yiayia Next Door our intention was to share Yiayia’s generosity with our friends who loved the Yiayia story. We never set out to build a movement and instead we stumbled across the power of our message by accident. We now recognise that our uplifting and light hearted voice is welcomed in what is traditionally a very dark place of domestic violence. Given our first-hand experience, if we can help one person experiencing family violence then we are able to make a difference. This movement is also the ultimate tribute to our beautiful Mum who was taken from us too soon. Yiayia Next Door gives some purpose to her loss and we know she would be proud – that’s what inspired us to keep going.

Who do you support?

We are guided by our vision for an Australia where people experiencing family violence feel supported.

Please visit our Impact section on the website to better understand our work. Since sharing our story in May 2019, our impact includes:

• Public speaking engagements and awareness of the Carlton Football Club’s Respect program which works closely with Our Watch.
• Ambassadors and fundraisers for ygap’s Polished Man campaign, where our community raised funds for the Australian Childhood Foundation.
  • Launching a merchandise range in 2020 whereby up to 50% of profits will be donated to:
  • Australia’s Our Watch which is a national leader in the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia; and
• Victoria’s safe steps which is a 24/7 family violence response service for women and children.
• Connecting visitors to our platform with suitable support services and words of comfort as they need it.

Is it a not for profit with tax deduction status?

After plenty of research, we have set up a social enterprise with the intention to donate up to 50% of funds to support initiatives and people who inspire communities where people feel safe, and neighbours connect and care.

While we are not set up as a not for profit with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status, like other social enterprises, we initiate campaigns and design products designed to intentionally shed light on social problems and seek ways to improve communities and how we connect with others. In this way, we can help support other not for profit organisations that we feel are aligned with our purpose.

Do you help people seeking safety from family violence?

We help in the best way we know by sharing our story with our community, we encourage people to love thy neighbour and be kind to every kind.

We use our platform to initiate and support campaigns designed to support people experiencing family violence. We are proud to already be supporting Our Watch, safe steps, Australian Childhood Foundation and ygap as they are producing some inspiring and powerful work in our community – both in the education space and on the frontline of family violence.

If you are experiencing or know someone who is experiencing family violence, you can call safe steps at any time on 1800 015 188, they operate 24/7, 365 days a year.

If you cannot safely call the 24/7 phone line, please email safesteps@safesteps.org.au and a family violence crisis specialist will reply to you as soon as possible.

safe steps can provide an interpreter service or access to specialist support for people with disabilities. If you have been threatened or you are fearful for yourself, a child or a family member – call 000.

What percentage of funds is given to charities?

We anticipate that around 30% of funds raised by our online product Shop will be donated to Our Watch, safe steps and/or Australian Childhood Foundation. Our goal is to increase the donation to 50%, as our sales increase and aim for the raised funds to be donated every Mother's Day. As Yiayia Next Door grows we will be transparent with our supporters and report back on where we choose to donate future funds and to what purpose.

When YiaYia Next Door raised funds for ygap's Polished Man campaign, 100% of the funding was donate to Australian Childhood Foundation.

Are you available for public speaking?

Yes, of course! Please visit our Events section on the website for more information.

What is one piece of advice you would give today to someone experiencing family violence?

Please know that you’re not in this alone. Sometimes the hardest step is to reach out and ask for help but there are people there for you, always.

What is a social enterprise?

A social enterprise is a cause-driven business whose primary reason for being is to improve social objectives and serve the common good.

Our purpose is promote social good by supporting charities who aim to assist those suffering from family violence. Part of the profits generated by Yiayia Next Door will be donated to these charities.