Collaboration for purpose and impact: SOS and JCU Brisbane
We’re thrilled to share an exciting project underway at Save Our Supplies — one that reflects our belief that that we cannot achieve our mission by working alone. To fulfil our purpose and meet our objectives, we identify and nurture partnerships, and work effectively, productively, and sustainably with others. Our relationship with James Cook University (JCU) Brisbane is an excellent example of the tangible impact collaborations can have, in this case, when the education and industry sectors combine forces with purpose.
SOS has proudly welcomed interns from JCU Brisbane into our team since July 2025, when our CEO was invited to attend a two-day ‘Design Sprint’ session with JCU, presenting a real-life business hurdle to the students around how we can expand our recruitment of volunteers to include people from non-medical backgrounds to identify, sort and categorise donated medical supplies.
Following impressive presentations by five different groups of students with innovative solutions to assist SOS overcome this identified area of need, our CEO saw great potential in embracing the talents of such an enthusiastic group. Pictured is our Volunteer Coordinator Gerri working alongside our current intern Chriswood to assist him in understanding the processes behind the sorting room, the heartbeat of our operations. As he learned the systems behind product identification and categorisation, Chriswood gathered insights to conduct phase two of a three phase project, realising the findings from the initial Design Sprint. Chriswood is now working on technological improvements to streamline our workflows, and enhance our technical capacity with the use of Ai for more efficient tracking and identification of donated supplies.
Partnerships like this are more than placements or professional development opportunities — they’re catalysts for innovation. Harnessing research, emerging talent and fresh thinking, alongside lived operational experience, helps strengthen our systems and improve efficiency — all while investing in future changemakers. With the skill set of students like Chriswood, SOS will be able to include volunteers from a broader section of the community to assist us in achieving our Mission.
“Our partnership with Save Our Supplies gives our students the opportunity to engage in real challenges while contributing to systems that create genuine community impact.” -Jillian Fox, Academic Dean, JCU Brisbane
At SOS, we know that impact isn’t only about what we deliver to communities — it’s also about how we build the systems behind that delivery. As NGOs, we must constantly evolve to stay relevant and responsive, and we truly value the support of our partners to do so, as we strengthen internal capacity, improve operational efficiency, and scale sustainably to serve more people, more effectively.
As CEO of Save Our Supplies Tracey Scanlan shared:
“True impact requires more than good intentions — it requires strong systems, bold thinking, and collaboration. By partnering with James Cook University Brisbane, we’re investing not only in our operational future, but in the next generation of changemakers who will lead the social impact sector forward.”
By welcoming emerging talent into our operations, we gain access to research-driven insights, new perspectives, and technological curiosity — all while providing students with real-world experience in purpose-led logistics and social impact.
We are deeply grateful to James Cook University Brisbane for the opportunity to learn, grow, and build together. Partnerships like this remind us that when we combine knowledge, innovation, and shared purpose, we don’t just strengthen organisations — we strengthen communities and create lasting difference.
