Building Community Through Student Placements: Collective Leisure’s Journey of Social Impact and Engagement
Work placement students from ACU.
As a Work Integrated Social Enterprise (WISE), Collective Leisure is committed to creating employment pathways for marginalised groups, with a particular focus on supporting refugee youth. Our dedication to social impact goes beyond just providing a workplace; we foster a nurturing environment emphasising growth, community, and genuine engagement.
Since 2022, we have proudly welcomed students for placements, starting with our collaboration with the Australian Catholic University (ACU) and expanding to include students from the Australian College of Physical Education (ACPE) in 2023 and TAFE NSW in 2024. This steady growth reflects our vision to provide robust learning and employment experiences for students eager to make a difference in community-based health and social support. Currently, 21 students have or are completing placements with us: two from TAFE NSW, thirteen from ACU, and three from ACPE.
Our formal agreement with ACU has strengthened our capacity to offer meaningful community engagement opportunities. Each term, we welcome students who are eager to participate in work that aligns with ACU’s vision for student community engagement, focusing on real-world experiences that foster empathy, resilience, and leadership.
The results speak for themselves: four students have transitioned from placements into employment with us. These students and all our placement participants play a pivotal role in delivering programs that make a tangible difference. For instance, through their work with senior community members, students gain valuable skills and develop deep connections with those they support, highlighting the importance of a community-centric approach to health and well-being.
These sentiments reflect our work culture at Collective Leisure. We aim to be more than just a placement provider; we strive to be a space where students learn, grow, and feel valued. With every placement, we reaffirm our mission to support the community and foster a positive, inclusive work environment that inspires students to continue making a difference.
What our placement students have to say…
Joanne from ACU, one of our recent placement students, shares her perspective: “I loved doing placement… It didn’t even feel like work. The members and community are truly the best.”
"I witnessed firsthand the profound mental health benefits fostered through Collective Leisure’s programs, especially within the seniors' community and wellbeing initiatives. Loneliness is a significant issue for many older Australians, but the connections formed among the seniors who attended regularly – and the relationships they built with us, the placement students – truly made a remarkable difference in their lives." - Frances from TAFE NSW, a former placement student and now an employee of Collective Leisure.
Opportunities for the Future
Our vision as a WISE means that every student placement is an investment in the future. As we continue to expand, we are excited to welcome more students into our programs and provide them with the tools and experiences they need to succeed both professionally and personally.
At Collective Leisure, placements are about more than just meeting requirements; they are about building futures, supporting communities, and inspiring change-makers.