SixPivot develops peer-matching platform for James Cook University

SixPivot has helped to develop Bamboo Programme a peer-matching platform designed to combat perinatal isolation and depression, for Queensland's James Cook University (JCU).

After Professor James Dimmock at JCU had spent seven years developing the Bamboo Programme, the Queensland Mental Health Commission had funded a pilot trial, but the platform wasn't ready and thus a partnership with the Northern Queensland Primary Health Network was at risk.

While the existing developer had made progress, the platform was "slow, full of bugs and quirks", and without a working platform, the money provided for the pilot trial would have had to have been sent back to Queensland Mental Health Commission.

After SixPivot founder Faith Rees connected with a JCU PhD student at a conference in Brisbane, SixPivot offered pro bono development hours to review the platform. 

Working remotely across multiple states, the team rebuilt Bamboo from the ground up in under three months.

This included creating an algorithm-based pairing that considers culture, background, and lived experience, plus a "nominated pathway" that allows mothers to invite someone from their existing network, critical for First Nations communities and those hesitant to connect with strangers. 

Documentary-style short video clips replaced lengthy academic lectures, designed for time-poor volunteer mothers who need practical guidance rather than theoretical frameworks, and a GitHub-based workflow enabled real-time collaboration and rapid iteration.

The platform's architecture enables rapid expansion to other vulnerable populations, including cancer survivors, new teachers, FIFO workers, and Indigenous communities.

Built with a modern technology stack and leveraging AI, the platform was ready to launch in December 2025, enabling the pilot randomised control trial to proceed on schedule with 100 North Queensland mothers.

The research will measure depression, anxiety and maternal-infant bonding outcomes across the postpartum period and the trial will aim to generate evidence for a programme addressing what meta-analyses show as one of the biggest, modifiable predictors of maternal mental health: social support, with results informing future funding applications for larger-scale trials. 

"I've learned that you can be completely remote and still work successfully as a team," said Professor Dimmock.

"If you're working with a good organisation, you just don't need to be local. Things can progress quickly and effectively." 

Rees said when she spoke to Dimmock and understood the gravity of their situation and the work they were trying to do it was an easy decision to get the SixPivot team involved.

"This type of project speaks to our heart space and enables us to create real impact. James and his PHD student are doing critical work in some of Australia’s most vulnerable communities”, she said.

SixPivot was the winner of the Innovation Award at the 2025 techpartner.news Impact Awards for Social Protect, a tool that can stop online abuse from ever reaching its intended targets.