Welcome to Hatch Carers
Hatch Carers is a social enterprise and community-led initiative dedicated to supporting and empowering foster and kinship carers in NSW. Our community network was established in 2023 with the launch of our online platform, designed to provide a safe, educational environment for foster carers to learn and grow together.
In 2024, we expanded our team to include experienced foster carers who now facilitate the Hatch Carers forum, offering expert advice, support, and opportunities to connect. We are excited to soon extend membership opportunities to more foster and kinship carers in NSW.
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Hatch Carers also aims to partner with the NSW OOHC sector by offering trusted advice and expertise on foster carer-related matters. We are confident that leveraging the lived expertise of our foster carer community will have an immediate impact on critical issues such as the availability of high-quality carers and the wellbeing of our current carers.
What's On?
Kincumber Wayne's Run Event
Meet here at the Fleet Steps (Mrs Macquarie's Chair) at 1:00pm on Thursday the 27th of June: https://maps.app.goo.gl/AhAdEm5cQQ4Wu6rj8?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
Wayne's Run
At these events, attendees can learn more about the current carer availability crisis, which has left 470 children living in hotels instead of family homes. You will hear from current carers about the highs and lows of their role, the strength and persistence required, and the humbling opportunity they have to change the course of not just a child’s life, but generations of disadvantage.
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These community events are open to the public, where Hatch Carers looks forward to being part of the conversations at each event. Whether you are an ultra-marathon enthusiast, a lover of stories of change and resilience, a potential future carer, or a community member or organization wishing to show support for the cause, we warmly welcome you to join us for Wayne's Run.​ More on Wayne's Run here.
Hatch is helping support "Wayne's Run", a campaign aimed at raising awareness about the need for change in the NSW OOHC system. Wayne's story centers on his ongoing journey of reconciling past traumas as a foster child through his passion for long-distance running. His history of early childhood abuse and neglect, navigating multiple foster care placements and group homes, battling substance abuse and repeated stints in the NSW justice system, reflects a common narrative for kids in the system today. Wayne now seeks to break this cycle, and be part of the solution.
Supported by Australian legend and ultra-marathon icon Pat Farmer, Wayne will run from Kempsey Court House to Sydney over eight days, covering 50-75km per day. His journey along the East Coast of NSW will also include sharing his story with the public. Wayne brings his complex life journey to the forefront with vulnerability, passion, and compelling authenticity.
If you'd like to get involved - sponsor the event, run with Wayne, attend an event, or anything else - please get back to us below.​
Come join us for some food and drinks, as we listen to Wayne and Pat speak. We will also hear from our CEO Marcie, and a foster carer who will teach us more about the shortage of carers in NSW.
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https://events.humanitix.com/wayne-s-run-the-need-for-change-in-the-nsw-out-of-home-care-oohc-system
Final day, run into Mrs Macquarie's Chair
Join us for the epic final run in, on day 8, to Mrs Macquarie's chair. Let's cheer on the runners and demonstrate some community and solidarity around the foster care issues that Pat and Wayne are running for.