James Cook University: How SixPivot's Pro Bono Development Rescued the Bamboo Perinatal Support Platform

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Institution: James Cook University

Location: North Queensland, Australia

Focus: Perinatal isolation and maternal mental health

Rebuild timeline: Under 3 months

Engagement type: Pro bono

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After seven years of development, the Bamboo Programme, a peer-matching platform designed to combat perinatal isolation and depression in rural and remote Queensland, was in serious trouble. With a Queensland Mental Health Commission-funded pilot trial at risk and a partnership with the Northern Queensland Primary Health Network on the line, Professor James Dimmock at James Cook University needed a development partner who could move fast. SixPivot offered pro bono development hours, assessed the existing platform, and rebuilt it from the ground up in under three months. The platform launched in December 2025, enabling the pilot trial to proceed on schedule with 100 mothers from North Queensland.

The challenge James Cook University was facing 

Professor James Dimmock had spent seven years developing Bamboo, an innovative peer-matching platform designed to connect new mothers, particularly those in rural and remote Queensland, with experienced volunteer mothers for one-on-one social support. The programme targets what research identifies as one of the most significant modifiable predictors of maternal mental health: social connection.

When the Queensland Mental Health Commission funded a pilot randomised control trial, the platform wasn't ready. Progress with the existing developer had been slow, the platform was full of bugs, and the team was beginning to realise the work was far further from completion than they had thought. A partnership with the Northern Queensland Primary Health Network was at risk.

"We weren’t where we needed to be. 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 the funding we'd won. We would just have to send the money back to the Queensland Mental Health Commission otherwise." 

Professor James Dimmock

James Cook University

How SixPivot got involved with Bamboo

The connection came through SixPivot Founder Faith Rees meeting JCU PhD student Kaila at the 2025 SomethingTech conference in Brisbane. After hearing about the Bamboo platform's situation, SixPivot offered pro bono development hours to conduct an honest assessment.

Innovation Director Quinten Miller and Senior Consultant Gary Jackson reviewed the existing platform and gave a frank recommendation: start fresh.

“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”. 

Faith Rees

Founder & CEO, SixPivot

How SixPivot rebuilt the Bamboo platform

Working remotely across multiple states, the SixPivot team rebuilt Bamboo from the ground up in under three months, focusing on four key capabilities:

• Dual matching pathways: An algorithm-based pairing system that considers culture, background, and lived experience, alongside a "nominated pathway" that allows mothers to invite someone from their existing network. The nominated pathway is critical for First Nations communities and mothers who are 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: A GitHub-based workflow enabled real-time collaboration and rapid iteration, with regular meetings replacing the weeks-long gaps between updates that had characterised the previous engagement

• Modern, maintainable infrastructure: Built on a modern technology stack with AI integration, the rebuilt platform was designed for confident ongoing development and future expansion, not just the immediate pilot

"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 rebuilding the Bamboo platform has had

Research back on track

The platform launched in December 2025, enabling the pilot randomised control trial to proceed on schedule. The trial involves 100 North Queensland mothers and will measure outcomes for depression, anxiety, and maternal-infant bonding across the postpartum period.

Evidence generation

The trial will generate evidence for a programme targeting one of the most significant modifiable predictors of maternal mental health. Results will directly inform future funding applications for larger-scale trials.

Scalable architecture

The platform's design enables rapid expansion to other vulnerable populations, including cancer survivors, new teachers, FIFO workers, and Indigenous communities, wherever peer support could improve wellbeing during significant life transitions.

Remote collaboration validated

The engagement demonstrated that complex, sensitive technology projects can be delivered effectively with fully distributed teams, provided the right processes and communication practices are in place.

"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

James Cook University

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Bamboo perinatal support platform?

Bamboo is a peer-matching platform developed at James Cook University that connects new mothers, particularly those in rural and remote Queensland, with experienced volunteer mothers for one-on-one social support. The programme is designed to address perinatal isolation and depression, targeting social support as one of the most significant modifiable predictors of maternal mental health. The platform was rebuilt by SixPivot on a pro bono basis and launched in December 2025.

What is perinatal isolation, and why does it matter for maternal mental health?

Perinatal isolation refers to social disconnection experienced during the period around pregnancy and early motherhood. Meta-analyses identify social support as one of the most significant modifiable predictors of maternal mental health outcomes, including postnatal depression and anxiety. In rural and remote areas, where traditional mothers' groups and extended family networks are often unavailable, isolation is particularly acute.

What does the Bamboo pilot trial involve?

The pilot is a randomised control trial involving 100 North Queensland mothers, funded by the Queensland Mental Health Commission. It will measure outcomes for depression, anxiety, and maternal-infant bonding across the postpartum period. Results will inform future funding applications for larger-scale rollouts of the programme.

How did SixPivot approach the Bamboo rebuild?

SixPivot's Innovation Director and a Senior Consultant assessed the existing platform and recommended starting fresh. The team rebuilt Bamboo in under three months, working fully remotely, using a GitHub-based workflow for real-time collaboration and regular check-ins to maintain momentum. The rebuild prioritised four areas: dual matching pathways (including a nominated pathway for First Nations communities), scalable micro-training content, transparent development processes, and a modern, maintainable infrastructure stack.

Why does the Bamboo platform include a nominated matching pathway?

The nominated pathway allows mothers to invite someone from their existing network rather than being matched with a stranger by an algorithm. This feature was designed specifically for First Nations communities and mothers who are hesitant to connect with unknown individuals, recognising that culturally appropriate design is essential for a platform serving diverse and vulnerable populations.

Does SixPivot take on pro bono work?

Yes, in select cases where the social impact is significant and aligns with SixPivot's values. The decision to support James Cook University with pro bono development reflects SixPivot's commitment to applying technical expertise for community benefit, particularly where technology enables research and intervention programmes addressing critical social challenges.