Youth Projects is proud to announce Chop4Change, a new inclusive hospitality pathway designed to help young people facing barriers to gain the skills, confidence and experience to thrive in meaningful employment. The program was developed in direct response to feedback from young people who told us they were interested in exploring careers in hospitality but didn’t feel comfortable in customer-facing roles. Chop4Change provides a supportive, back-of-house training environment where participants can build skills in catering, food preparation, and kitchen operations offering a practical and inclusive pathway into the industry that suits their strengths and preferences.

Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services, Chop4Change builds on our successful Here4Hospitality model to create inclusive, hands-on training experiences that turn opportunity into confidence, skills and real employment outcomes.

Throughout the training program, participants gain back-of-house hospitality skills, mentoring, and support with real-world placements through The Little Social’s social enterprise catering operations and industry partners.

The program is trauma-informed, sensory inclusive and co-designed by young people, creating safe, supportive environments where young people (including those with neurodivergence, mental health barriers or those living with a disability) can build practical skills and rediscover their confidence.

“With mental health challenges and social anxiety on the rise among young people, they told us they wanted more than just front-of-house hospitality training, they wanted options that felt more comfortable and suited to their strengths,” says Trent Miller, CEO of Youth Projects. “Funding for Chop4Change has helped us turn that feedback into real opportunities for young people.”

Real stories, Real impact

We already know that programs like Chop4Change can be life changing. We spoke to Haleigh, who joined our Here4Hospitality training course after years of uncertainty about her career path

“I was lost and anxious about what to do next. The training helped me find my voice again. Now I feel like I’m flourishing,” says Haleigh, H4H Graduate.

With ongoing mentoring and support, Haleigh has since started work at The Little Social, proving how tailored training and care can transform not just job prospects, but self-belief.

As the hospitality industry continues to thrive, initiatives like Chop4Change demonstrate how social enterprise and targeted investment can build both stronger communities and a more inclusive workforce.

Interested in joining the program? Find out what it's all about and sign up to our waitlist below.

Find out more

Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. Go to www.dss.gov.au for more information.