Here’s the truth: Australia’s history of forced adoption left deep scars—scars that still affect thousands today. And if you’re in aged care, understanding these stories isn’t optional; it’s crucial to providing the compassionate, informed support your role demands.
Recently, PUR Production partnered with the Department of Social Services (DSS) and Portable to develop an educational resource with a single aim—helping aged care workers get it. This isn’t a history lesson; it’s a bridge to empathy, designed to make sure these stories hit home.
The Challenge
DSS needed a solution that would resonate with busy aged care workers who may have little exposure to the impacts of forced adoption. The goal? Content that doesn’t just inform but connects—so workers walk away with a gut-level understanding of why sensitivity here isn’t a “nice-to-have”; it’s essential.
Our Approach
To get there, we went all-in on storytelling that makes an impact. Here’s how:
Narrative: We blended cold, hard facts with the deeply personal—real stories of people affected by forced adoption—and co-created a fictional family to anchor the entire resource. This central narrative allowed us to embed key messages and lessons across each segment, turning information into a connection and a path forward.
Character Design: Characters aren’t just narrators; they’re the audience’s entry point into the story. Designing relatable characters allowed us to make tough content stick, drawing aged care workers into the experience and ensuring the message resonates well beyond the screen.
Content Strategy: We knew where the audience stood—time poor and juggling priorities. With that in mind, we kept it punchy and to the point, leaning on 3-minute micro-learning animations that respect their time while packing emotional weight. The project became a case study in creative restraint, delivering just what’s needed without overload.
Emotional Visual Storytelling: Across eight short, powerful animations, we didn’t just share stories—we gave them the gravity they deserve, creating an experience designed to stay with viewers.
Execution that Matters
With an advisory team from Jigsaw Queensland Inc., Relationships Australia, The Healing Foundation, and VANISH, helping shape scripts and storyboards to ensure that they accurate as they are compelling. Each piece pulls aged care workers into a history they might not know but absolutely need to understand.
The Takeaway
If you’re working with individuals impacted by forced adoption, this training gives you the insights needed to bring real compassion to the table every day.
Want to know more about how we turn sensitive topics into impactful, real-world educational content? Reach out—we’d love to show you what’s possible.
Go well, Patrick Beggs