Designing for Impact: Strengthening a Regional Childcare Vision

I recently tested the Project: CreateChange approach with Angela Cochrane, founder of The Future Care Project, in regional Queensland — a dynamic woman tackling one of the most critical issues facing regional communities: access to childcare.

It’s a challenge with real consequences for small towns, where waitlists often stretch beyond two years and 78% of local businesses report major workforce disruptions because reliable childcare just isn’t available.

Angela’s vision is bold, practical, and community-led. My role was to help her articulate it with clarity and confidence. Across two focused 30-minute sessions, we explored why the project exists, unpacked the problem it’s trying to solve, and discussed the external challenges that could affect its success.

I then took this insight back to my desk and shaped it into a clear, logical project narrative that links day-to-day activities to long-term community impact and produced a five-page report with a visual outcomes map, clearly articulated assumptions, and a draft set of indicators and measures Angela can use to monitor progress and demonstrate success - something many early-stage projects struggle to define.

What struck me most was how quickly clarity can accelerate confidence. When founders see their ideas organised into a compelling story of change, the project stops feeling overwhelming and starts feeling actionable. That shift matters — especially for community leaders working in complex environments.

Angela captured the value of the process beautifully:

“Your input has given me the expertise and direction I need to confidently match my project to the priorities of partners and stakeholders.”

It was a privilege to work with someone so committed to strengthening regional communities. When leaders like Angela are given the right structure to express their vision, the path to change becomes clearer — and far more achievable.

If you’re shaping a community project and want support to turn a great idea into a clear, compelling story of change, I’d love to help. 💬

🔗 Explore Angela’s work: www.thefuturecareproject.com.au to find out more about her fabulous work.