"Starting FRESH" is run for students in need of additional support by charity Anglicare, in partnership with several Wagga high schools and the Indie school.

Year nine student Heidi is one of up to 40 young people who participate each week in the program, which promotes mental and physical health.

"We learn about gratitude and mindfulness and go to the gym and work on body strength," Heidi said.

"It makes you feel a lot better and better in yourself."

Heidi, aged 14, said she had noticed a big difference within herself since she joined the program earlier in the year.

She said she most enjoyed the sessions dedicated to wellbeing.

"It's a safe space where it stays in the group and doesn't go out. You just express your feelings, I guess," she said.

"You feel a lot better because you've done your workout, you ate, just going to school with a smile on your face. [You're] just positive and anything you're holding in, it just makes you feel better," she said.

Anglicare senior coordinator youth services Sebastian Cottam said it was rewarding seeing the change in young people in the program over the course of each school term.

"They might start off being really shy and reserved and spend a bit of time in the program and become strong and confident people. It's great to see," he said.

Mr Cottam said Starting FRESH began in Wagga in June 2019 and now had a waiting list of families wanting to sign up.

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"We were dealing with a lot of young people getting disengaged from school. When we spoke to those young people they would get up five minutes before school, go to school without eating, those type of things," he said.

"So the idea behind the program was to start to create change where they were up, they've put themselves in a good frame of mind ... and then they've gone to school in a positive frame of mind.

"And I think that changes your whole day."

Mr Cottam thanked local sponsors Riverina Fresh, Blooms Chemist, Wagga Fruit Supplies, IGA Tolland and Elite Supps for their support.

"They've sort of jumped on board to help out where they can," he said.

He said the program was largely funded through grants from the Department of Communities and Justice which organisers are hoping to stretch to last until June 2021.

An Anglicare representative said the program would be very grateful for any further support from the community.

Any organisations or businesses interested in discussing sponsorship can contact Anglicare on (02) 6937 1555.