Connecting Communities: Share your story

Share your story

Every day, organisations across Australia are doing incredible things to make a difference. They are supporting people, strengthening communities, and creating positive change. 

We want to celebrate that work by sharing real stories from the people and organisations behind it. 

We encourage our service providers to be part of our Connecting Communities pilot program. Share your story to inspire others, spark ideas, and show the impact that happens when communities come together. 

Why share your story

Sharing your story helps:

• shine a light on the great work happening in communities across Australia
• show impact – helping funders, partners and decision-makers see what works on the ground
• build pride within your organisation and community
• inspire others to take action, start their own projects, or collaborate.

Big or small, every story matters. 

How to share your story

If you are a service provider we fund, you can take part in our Connecting Communities pilot program.

You can share your story in 1 of 2 ways. 

Option 1 – Complete the story template

Use our Connecting Communities: Share your story template to help you tell your story clearly and confidently.

The template includes simple prompts to guide you through what to write. We recommend using 1 template per story. 

Option 2 – Share something you’ve already created

If you’ve already developed content about your story – such as an article, video, newsletter item or social media post – you can share that with us instead. 

Refer to the first section of the Connecting Communities: Share your story template to share a brief description and links or files. 

Before you start

It’s easy to take part either way. We’re here to help you share your story.

Guide to sharing your story

The guide provides all the essential information we need and tips on how to write your story. This includes information on permissions, consent and image use. The guide also provides quick and easy tips to help you write your story in your own voice and make it interesting.

Template 

This includes prompts to help you write your story and what to do if you already have communication materials you want to share. Complete all the details or share the summary of what you’ve already created. Be sure to fill in the essential information section.

Consent

Complete and attach the Connecting Communities: Share your story consent form to provide permission to use information about people in your story. Fill this in when you have mentioned a person, or if they are included in the digital files you share. This includes images, audio and video.

Send us your story

Once your story is ready, send it to us along with any consent forms and images or media. Email CommunityCaseStudies@dss.gov.au.

How we will use your story

We’ll read every story that comes in. While we can’t share them all, every story helps us understand the great work happening across our communities.

Some stories may be featured in:

• articles on our website or with staff through the department intranet
• newsletters and reports
• social media posts or campaigns
• minister’s media releases or speeches.

We may also contact you for more details, quotes or photos to help tell your story accurately and respectfully.

If your story isn’t shared publicly, it will still help us to understand what’s working and where our providers are making an impact in communities.

More information

Keep checking this section as we provide more templates and guidance for your communication.

If you’d like some advice or to share feedback about our Connecting Communities pilot, email CommunityCaseStudies@dss.gov.au.

We’d love to hear what guides and tools would help.