Spare Seat

A lot of Spare Seat probably looks pretty relaxed from the outside. Walking, swimming, cooking, hanging out and exploring.

And honestly, it is.

But there’s also real intention behind it.

Over the years I’ve learnt more and more that humans generally do well when our bodies and minds are strong, and we're exposed to the good stuff. Movement. Sunlight. Time outdoors. Nutritious food. Social connections. Challenge. Adventure. Time away from screens.

The tricky part is that a lot of young people don’t just magically discover these things on their own.

If you rarely go to the beach, how do you learn to enjoy the beach?
If movement has mostly felt like competitive sport or PE lessons where you feel out of place, how do you learn it can actually feel good?

Spare Seat isn’t about telling young people how to live.

It’s more about creating environments and experiences that help people feel healthier, calmer, more connected and more like themselves.

Safe enough to show up. Comfortable enough to get involved.

Awesome feedback from a student finding their feet.

Thought it was probably time I introduced myself again.

For those new to following Spare Seat, theres more on the website.

Link in bio.

Great day out with this crew.

It was a cruisy one along the Torrens today.

We walked, cooked lunch, counted planes overhead, and spent some time connecting and thinking about the term ahead.

A really nice mix of welcoming some young people into their first Spare Seat program, while reconnecting with a few familiar faces too.

Today’s numbers:

6 young people 🧍🏽‍♀️
12 burgers cooked 🍔
9,652 steps 👣
27 planes counted ✈️

“I’m feeling more confident and settled, and enjoying knowing more people.”

Sometimes it’s that simple.

Side by side, no pressure. Just time, space, and the right kind of support for things to shift.

That’s the work.

Small groups. Real connection. A different way in for young people who don’t always feel like they fit the usual mould.

Some young people aren’t disengaged.

The way we’re asking them to engage just isn’t landing.

With Spare Seat, we approach it differently.

That might look like a walk and a proper chat, a BBQ where they actually take the lead, or just a day where they feel like themselves again.

Spare Seat partners with schools across Adelaide to support learners aged 12+ who don’t always connect in traditional settings.

The ones drifting, switching off, or quietly opting out.
At risk of school refusal, or just needing something to click.

From wellbeing resets to creative, subject-based adventures, we create space for young people to have a go, feel valued, and realise they’ve got something to offer.

Programs are flexible. One-off sessions, short series, or 10-week term blocks.

Built around your young people, not the other way around.

If you’re thinking about something different for your students, reach out.

💻 www.spareseat.net
📧 [email protected]

school day ✌️

Discussion: Reasons to get outdoors and just slow down a bit.

(Their words not mine…)

“To get the bad energy out of our body”

“So we feel less chaos”

“Better for our health”

“It can help relieve stress and anger”

👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏

Great day with the crew at Morialta

This cheeky ngungana (Kaurna word for Kookaburra) was keeping an eye on us!

Term 4 things