James Cook University: Bamboo Perinatal Support Platform

Rescuing Critical Maternal Mental Health Research Through Pro Bono Perinatal Social Support Platform Development

The Challenge 

After seven years of developing the Bamboo Programme, an innovative peer-matching platform designed to combat perinatal isolation and depression, Professor James Dimmock at James Cook University faced a critical deadline. The Queensland Mental Health Commission had funded a pilot trial, but the platform wasn't ready. A Partnership with the Northern Queensland Primary Health Network was at risk.

"We weren’t where we needed to be," James recalls. "We were beginning to realise that the program wasn’t as close to completion as we had previously thought. I was starting to wonder if we could execute on this funding we'd won." 

The existing developer had made progress, but it was slow, and the platform was full of bugs and quirks.  The team needed to move fast to finalise a working platform that could match new mothers, particularly in rural and remote Queensland, with experienced volunteer mothers for one-on-one social support. 

"We just would have had to send the money back to Queensland Mental Health Commission otherwise," James explains. 

The Solution 

After Faith Rees connected with JCU PhD student Kaila at the 2025 SomethingTech conference in Brisbane, SixPivot offered pro bono development hours to review the platform. Innovation Director Quinten and Senior Consultant Gary’s assessment was frank: start fresh.

Working remotely across multiple states, the team rebuilt Bamboo from the ground up in under three months. Focusing on building key features through a collaborative process, for example: 

Dual Matching Pathways 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. 

Scalable Micro-Training Documentary-style short video clips replaced lengthy academic lectures, designed for time-poor volunteer mothers who need practical guidance rather than theoretical frameworks. 

Transparent Development Process GitHub-based workflow enabled real-time collaboration and rapid iteration, with regular meetings replacing the "weeks between drinks" of the previous engagement. 

Modern, Maintainable Infrastructure Built with a modern technology stack and leveraging AI, the SixPivot team delivered, enabling confident, ongoing development and future expansion. 

"The experience has been staggering. Continual engagement and feedback, not long periods of slow progress. Constant movement and constant progress." — Professor James Dimmock, James Cook University 

The Impact 

Research Rescued

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. 

Evidence Generation

The trial will generate evidence for a programme addressing what meta-analyses show as one of the, if not the biggest, modifiable predictors of maternal mental health: social support. Results will inform future funding applications for larger-scale trials. 

Scalable Model

The platform's architecture enables rapid expansion to other vulnerable populations, including cancer survivors, new teachers, FIFO workers, and Indigenous communities, anywhere, where social support could improve well-being during challenging life transitions. 

Remote Collaboration Validated

"I've learned that you can be completely remote and still work successfully as a team," James notes, "If you're working with a good organisation, you just don't need to be local. Things can progress quickly and effectively." 

"I've been alarmed having seen where we've got to...I've been surprised at how quickly we’ve progressed to get this great product. We were never going to execute so well and so quickly the way we were previously tracking. I just thank our lucky stars we stumbled on you guys." — Professor James Dimmock 

Community Impact

By addressing perinatal isolation, particularly in rural and remote areas where traditional mothers' groups or family support networks are unavailable, the platform creates pathways for evidence-based interventions that could improve maternal mental health outcomes across Australia.

This pro bono engagement demonstrates SixPivot's commitment to applying technical expertise for community benefit, particularly where technology enables research and intervention programs addressing critical social challenges. 

Faith Rees, SixPivot Founder says of the project: “When I spoke to James 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”.