About Enlighten
Australia’s leading provider of in-school workshops for teen girls since 2003.
Created by experienced educators with a proven track record of success, Enlighten Education is an award-winning social impact business. Our evidence-based programs are designed for students aged 10–18 and help tween and teenagers navigate the complex messages they receive about themselves, their relationships and the world around them.
Our workshops cover everything from strengthening friendships and building self-esteem, to developing gratitude, leadership skills and a sense of social responsibility. Rather than telling young people what to think, we encourage them to think critically, trust their own voice and recognise the power they have to create positive change.
We believe learning should also be fun. Humour, storytelling and shared experiences are central to the way we teach because we know connection creates the conditions for meaningful learning. Research shows that humour does not distract from education; it can enhance engagement, strengthen memory and reduce defensiveness.
Young people are extraordinarily attuned to social dynamics, so creating spaces where students can laugh together helps build a sense of belonging and openness. Enlighten workshops provide positive, engaging and memorable experiences that students genuinely enjoy from start to finish.
Your choice of half or full-day programs can support your students to become more confident, compassionate and capable young people. Feedback from many of Australia’s and New Zealand’s leading schools, along with endorsements from experts in education and psychology, reflects the lasting impact of our work.
With extensive experience in education and school leadership, our team understands the realities of school life, including timetables, curriculum requirements and the wellbeing challenges facing today’s young people.
Please take a moment to explore our programs and meet our team. We would be delighted to discuss your school’s needs and help tailor an experience that best supports your students.
We know the Enlighten Education experience has been incredibly powerful for the tens of thousands of young people we have been privileged to work with, and we would love to bring that experience to your school community too.
*We understand young people may be LGBTQI, gender diverse or living with an intersex variation. Our workshops are highly inclusive; when working with young people, we avoid using gendered pronouns, challenge discriminatory language and encourage young people to question limiting gender stereotypes.
Enlighten Education is proud to have joined Together 4 Youth, a collective uniting to amplify the voice of young people and support them through education into thriving futures. Our fellow alliance members include Mission Australia, Reach and Raise.
View the videos above of our co-founder Dannielle Miller discussing one of her books for teen girls; in this she also explains our Enlighten approach. You may also wish to watch a WIN 9 News report on our recent work with girls in Wollongong area.
In the Community
Enlighten Education is a social impact business.
We believe in balancing business success with genuine concern for the good of the community. Since 2003, we have been guided by three key principles:
- To do business responsibly
- To invest in our community and take leadership on social issues relevant to our work
- To maintain transparency and publicly share our values and conduct
Dannielle Miller presenting the Walk The Talk awards at NSW Pariament House
Creating positive change beyond the classroom
For more than two decades, Enlighten Education has believed that supporting young people requires a whole-community approach. Our work extends beyond our workshops as we partner with schools, families, organisations and community groups to help create a world where young people feel valued, respected and heard.
Giving young people the tools to lead
Our programs encourage students to recognise the power they have to shape their communities and their world. We explore topics such as respectful relationships, leadership, media literacy, social responsibility and the impact of the choices we make as consumers and citizens.
Rather than telling young people what to think, we give them the tools to think critically, act with compassion and understand that their voice matters.
Supporting families and educators
Young people thrive when the adults around them feel informed and supported too. Enlighten has always been committed to sharing practical, research-informed advice with parents and educators through our articles, resources, professional learning and community conversations.
Our founder and CEO, Dannielle Miller, is a recognised author, speaker and educator who regularly contributes to public discussions on issues impacting young people, including wellbeing, body image, friendships, consent and respectful relationships.
Inspiring social change
At Enlighten, we believe young people deserve environments that remind them they matter. Over the years, our passion for creating positive change has extended far beyond our workshops.
Our internationally recognised School Toilet Project began with a simple idea: transform neglected school bathrooms into uplifting spaces filled with colour, kindness and connection. We freely shared the concept with educators around the world, and hundreds of schools have since created their own inspiring spaces for students.
The initiative has been discussed globally, including with researchers from Harvard University, as an example of how small, thoughtful changes to school environments can have a powerful impact on student wellbeing and belonging.
Our commitment to turning awareness into action also continues through Walk The Talk, our partnership with Women’s Community Shelters, empowering students to support women and children escaping domestic and family violence.
Staying independent and student-centred
Enlighten Education remains proudly independent. We do not accept sponsorship arrangements that compromise our values or expose students to conflicting commercial messages.
For over 20 years, schools have trusted us because our focus has remained exactly where it belongs: on the wellbeing, confidence and potential of young people.