Who we are

A Kindsugi Future believes we’re ready to respond and adapt to this new cultural, economic and environmental era we’ve found ourselves in, and in particular, its propensity to make us feel lonely.

We believe the power of kindness towards each other and the planet is a key ingredient in steering us back to more community-driven living, and an important part of cultivating meaningful connection, belonging and purpose. The rapid changes in recent times, however, has changed our living and capacity so that we’re less able to access and carry out these important acts of kindness that we used to do, and which brought us together as a community.

A Kindsugi Future has a mission to work out how to make those activities and moments accessible again - and for everyone - as everyone deserves access to the potential elevated sense of self-worth, purpose and belonging that these acts and moments of kindness bring. And with this, we build up thriving and sustainable communities again, and bring us all back to experiencing those deep and essential feelings of feeling safe, seen and valued.

Helen Barnes
Program Director

With a background in psychology and business, Helen has always had an interest in innovating and community building - and in particular, programs that embody genuine and meaningful access and inclusion. She loves being involved in the delivery of programs and directly connecting with community, and also enjoys developing the back-end systems and processes that ensure programs are delivered effectively and safely - and in particular, so that they are meeting their intended purpose. In the past, Helen has worked in policy and program development in social health, child protection and supporting children and young people in out-of-home care, as well as in other areas of diversity and vulnerability, such as disability and mental health. She’s worked in a range of organisational settings, including not-for-profit, community, private and government.

Pamela Bain Creative Director

Pamela’s creative practice explores organic relationships with environments both near and cosmically far. As a multi-media artist she employs painting, photography, sculpture, and light integration to merge cosmic elements with Earth’s natural properties. This interdisciplinary approach evolved during Pam’s art residency at Swinburne University’s Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing where she incorporated animation, audio integration, and light experimentation into her creative expressions. The artist’s focus on disability art access during her Master of Art Curatorship at the University of Melbourne has significantly informed her art practice. Pam now specializes in creating sensorily accessible art forms, including touch objects plus didactics for blind and low vision audiences, embodying the principle that art should be available to all.

Our Volunteers

The lovely and dedicated volunteers who support the making, mending and community building are what make up the heart and soul of A Kindsugi Future. We’d be nowhere without them - and just like community, every single person who’s a part of it has their unique and important contribution that makes the whole group that much stronger. We’re forever grateful to all those who share their many hours, ideas and skills with us.

Kajuli

Marilyn