Ten young people from the Mai-Wel Group were partnered with volunteer community coaches for the personal leadership program.

The young people have a variety of disabilities, including mental and physical challenges.

Each participant worked with their coach to develop a community service project, which was presented to the public at a showcase at Cessnock Leagues Club.

The participants were Zachary Bywater, Mitchell Fitzgerald, Michael Geatches, Lochlan Miller-Williams, Lachlan Burston, Elizabeth Miller, Denver Danaher, Skylah Schmidt, Lucas Baars and Lochlan Packer.

Their projects covered topics including water safety, homeless services for people and animals, depression and anxiety, bullying, sport, blood donation and road safety.

Max Potential program manager Julie Stevens said all participants made great progress during the program.

“It’s not a cookie-cutter program; each of them define what they want to achieve throughout their journey,” she said.

“They have all worked extremely hard to earn the right to say they have completed this scholarship.”

Ms Stevens has contacted Cessnock’s four high schools to be part of Max Potential the next time it runs in Cessnock.

Anyone who is interested in becoming a community coach can contact Julie Stevens on 0414 402 780 or julie@futureachievementaustralia.com.au.

See more photos from the showcase and learn more about each project in the gallery below.