Developing a ‘Mindset for Life’

Reimagining life beyond work through peer-led co-design

Mindset for Life is a peer-led personal development program designed with and for people approaching or navigating ‘retirement’. Originally developed in 2016-17 by Think Human in partnership with The Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI) and the City of Port Adelaide Enfield, with support from SA’s Office for Ageing Well, the program reframes retirement as a life stage full of opportunity rather than decline. Since its inception over 1000 people across Australia and overseas have participated in the program to design their ‘life beyond work’ for pleasure and purpose.

Mindset for Life is one of our in-house co-design programs, developed over the course of a year with people who were themselves transitioning out of work. This participatory approach ensured the program reflected real-life challenges and aspirations. Volunteer convenors—people who have done the program—are trained to facilitate new groups, creating a sustainable, community-embedded delivery model.

Since 2017 we have continued to develop the program with multiple options now to participate, from self-guided ‘thinking tools’ to the full-blown 3-week program. Key elements of the program include:

• Peer-to-peer opportunities for support and connection 
• Narrative tools and guided reflection to help participants explore identity, purpose, and wellbeing.
• Strengths-based frameworks and tools designed to be easy-to-use – and reuse- over time.

I came in thinking retirement was the end of something. I’m leaving thinking it’s the start of something new.

Participant, Campbelltown, SA

Broader Significance & ongoing growth