Young people in Redfern who want to make changes to their health, but don’t feel their concerns are serious enough to seek professional help, are among those being targeted by a free coaching service across Central and Eastern Sydney.
Open to people aged 13 to 25 who live, study or see a health professional in the region, the program offers up to six free phone appointments with a qualified health professional. Conversations can cover nutrition, weight management, smoking and vaping, stress and general wellbeing.
Funded by the Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network (CESPHN) and delivered by Better Health Company, the program has been shaped around a familiar hurdle: knowing something needs to change but not believing it warrants professional help.
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When a Problem Doesn’t Seem Serious Enough
Bella Fedele, Service Design and Brand Experience Manager at Better Health Company, said cost and perceptions about the seriousness of a concern can both stand in the way.
“A lot of young people don’t seek help because they don’t think their problem is serious enough, or worthy enough to spend money on an appointment with a professional,” Ms Fedele said.
“They are more likely to search online, scroll through social media or try to figure things out themselves before speaking with a health professional.”
That influenced the decision to make the coaching free and phone-based. Participants can access the service themselves and don’t need to arrive with a particular goal already mapped out.
Redfern’s Contrasts Add Another Layer
When asked where the service could have particular relevance, Ms Fedele specifically pointed to Redfern and neighbouring Waterloo.
“There are some communities across Sydney where young people face challenges linked to housing stress, financial hardship and also access to affordable support services,” she said.
“Areas such as Waterloo and Redfern are a good example of where disadvantage can exist alongside rapid growth and affluence.”
The coaching cannot address those wider pressures, but removing the cost and need to travel to appointments takes away two potential obstacles. Better Health Company is particularly seeking to reach young people experiencing financial hardship, as well as multicultural communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and LGBTQIA+ young people.
Study, Work and Health Can Collide
What brings someone to a coach may not be the only issue they are dealing with.
“Something we hear consistently is that young people feel like they are balancing so much,” Ms Fedele said.
“Whether that be study, work, family commitments, friendships and their health, and it can be very overwhelming.”
A conversation that begins with nutrition or weight, for example, may reveal that stress, sleep or confidence is also making things harder. Ms Fedele said this was one reason the coaching was designed to look across several health behaviours rather than treating each in isolation.
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Small Goals Rather Than a Standard Prescription
Instead of following the same plan, participants work with a coach to decide what is realistic for them and break larger goals into manageable steps.
“What makes health coaching different is that it’s not just about providing information,” Ms Fedele said. “Most people already know what they should be doing for their health, but turning that into lasting habits can be difficult.”
Alongside regular contact with a coach, participants receive access to an app with self-paced learning modules and practical resources.
Better Health Company says people taking part in its broader coaching programs around Australia have improved their eating habits, achieved sustainable weight loss and, in some cases, quit smoking. Those are results from its wider programs, rather than outcomes attributed to young people using the Sydney service.
Help Doesn’t Have to Start With a Crisis
Ms Fedele said young people should not feel they have to wait for a problem to become serious before asking for support.
“You don’t have to wait until something seems really serious before reaching out for support,” she said.
“In fact, health coaching is often most effective when people are looking to make small improvements before issues become more difficult to manage.”
That might mean wanting more energy, feeling less stressed, improving eating habits or cutting back on vaping. It also doesn’t require someone to know exactly what they want to achieve from the outset.
“You don’t need to know exactly what your goals are, our coaches are here to help you figure that out and work with you to create achievable steps that fit in your lifestyle,” Ms Fedele said.
“Sometimes a conversation and a little guidance can make a bigger difference than people expect.”
Who Can Take Part?
The program is open to people aged 13 to 25 who live, study or see a health professional in Central and Eastern Sydney.
Eligible participants can receive up to six free phone appointments, with registration available through Better Health Company.
Published 9-Sept-2026
