CLIENT STORIES
KAI-FELLA FOUNDATION
Strength Isn’t Silence : It’s About Speaking Up
We explore the What If’s with Kai-Fella, who are equipping young Aussies with the tools to check in on their mates & have real conversations about mental health.
What if strength wasn’t about staying silent but about speaking up? What if resilience was measured in connection rather than isolation? This is the mission behind Kai-Fella, a charity reshaping the way young Australians approach mental health, with one courageous conversation at a time.
Some missions choose you. For Kai-Fella founder, Claire, the journey began with the unimaginable - losing her middle son, Kai, to suicide on 26 July 2016. What followed was a commitment to ensuring no other family had to endure the same heartbreak and with the unwavering support of friends and community, Kai-Fella was born.
Claire cites Rosie Batty as her biggest role model: “Rosie made Australians confront hard truths about family, domestic, and sexual violence - because silence costs lives. Her advocacy challenged us to listen to the voices of victim-survivors if we really want to achieve change.”
At its heart, Kai-Fella is about early intervention. The organisation delivers some of Western Australia’s most impactful mental health workshops, breaking the silence around mental health and equipping young people with the confidence to have tough but necessary conversations.
They disrupt outdated gender stereotypes, helping young men and women define their unique stories. By equipping them to navigate expectations, pressures, and emotional complexities, they foster healthier lives for themselves and the people they love.
Kai-Fella workshops give young people a space to talk without judgment. One of the most powerful pieces of feedback came from a workshop participant who said, “After today, I’m gonna change and check up on my mates more.” Those words reflect what Kai-Fella is all about - not just awareness, but real, meaningful action.
As a non-profit, Kai-Fella relies on community support. Philanthropic donations, grants, merchandise and fundraising events like the annual Kai-Fella Ball help sustain and expand its impact. These initiatives ensure that more young people can access these vital workshops, creating a ripple effect of change across Western Australia.
But funding is only part of the equation. The heart of Kai-Fella lies in its people. Claire credits much of the organisation’s success to the dedicated team that surrounds her and the facilitators who bring passion and expertise to every session
“Our charity thrives because of the quality of our facilitators,” she shares. “I thought nobody could love this mission as much as I do, but when I see the hope, drive, and excitement in our team, I know we’re building something bigger than ourselves.”
Claire’s advice for others looking to make a difference? She shares that “the charitable space is a difficult niche to be in, so be prepared for plenty of knock backs before you hit your stride.” She adds, “to listen to your gut instinct as 9 /10 times it’s correct.”
More Than a Collaboration: How Kai-Fella Turned 'What If' Into 'What Works’.
When it came to visually capturing the essence of Kai-Fella, the choice was clear. Kaz’s approach to photography aligned perfectly with their mission - authentic, powerful, and deeply human.
“Kaz has an amazing ability to put you at ease in front of the camera and takes images that capture not only the persons character, but the story that they tell.”
The impact of the shoot was immediate. The fresh imagery brought a new level of professionalism to their website and social media, helping them better communicate their message and increase engagement.
It also led to a rise in merchandise sales, providing an additional revenue stream to support their programs. More than just photos, these images help tell the story of a movement committed to saving lives.
“The biggest challenge was getting everyone together,” Claire admits. “We’re all time-poor, but Kaz made it easy and even fun.”
Kai-Fella isn’t just about awareness - it’s about real change. And with the right people and the right message, that change is happening.
Hear more about Kai-Fella’s journey >