St John of God Midland Private Hospital grants boost community wellbeing

2 Aug 2023

The Community Wellbeing Grants have been provided to a life-skills development program for at-risk teenagers, an art recovery group for people living with a mental illness and a camp for families of children with autism, amongst other programs. 

St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospital Chief Executive Officer Paul Dyer, said the grants are designed to provide additional support to groups who are providing much-needed services to the local community.

“As a not-for-profit organisation we take pride in reinvesting all our profits back into the communities we serve through a variety of ways. These programs aim to ensure our care and Values of Hospitality, Compassion, Respect, Justice and Excellence are felt beyond our hospital walls. Both our public and private hospitals in Midland are heavily invested in the local community and it’s our privilege to support the many wonderful organisations running programs that enhance local health and wellbeing. We had many organisations apply for a grant with us for the first time this year, which shows how many people in our community are committed to helping improve the lives of others. I thank everyone who took the time to submit an application. The judges had a difficult time selecting from such a great range of projects”.

The Community Wellbeing Grants are a biannual program and have run since 2013. The grant program was developed by St John of God Health Care to provide a much needed boost for grassroots groups delivering programs that provide tangible outcomes within the catchment that the hospital serves. Between 2013 and 2023 the grants have supported almost 60 initiatives. 

This year’s grant recipients include:

Lionheart Camp for Kids

Lionheart Camp for Kids is a Western Australian non-profit group and the only service provider in WA supporting grieving children and families, regardless of how their family member died. Since 2015, Lionheart has been providing family education programs, support and guidance to help youth navigate and incorporate grief healthily and safely into their lives.

Funds received via the Community Wellbeing Grants will be used to meet costs associated with staging Lionheart’s new family focused camp: a two-day bereavement program supporting grieving youth aged five to seventeen years of age following the death of a parent, primary caregiver or sibling.

Midland Police and Community Youth Centre (PCYC)

Midland PCYC is a leading youth organisation working to empower children and young people to reach their potential. Our recreational activities, diversionary programs and alternate education opportunities keep children and young people active and engaged so that they can reach their potential and stay on a positive life path.

Funds received via the Community Wellbeing Grants will be used to meet costs associated with running the Stepping Stones program. The program improves the basic literacy and numeracy of at risk young people in year 11 or 12 who are not attending school.

Koordak Aboriginal Corporation

Koordak is a non-profit organisation that aims to help improve the lives of the Aboriginal Community in Ellenbrook and surrounding areas. Koordak’s aim is to close the gap and conserve, teach and protect culture and those vulnerable in their community. Koordak focuses on education, social issues, identity, culture and tradition. 

Funds received via the Community Wellbeing Grants will be used to meet costs associated with purchasing ongoing consumables for Koordak’s Yarning Circle and after school program.

Mental Illness Fellowship of WA (MIFWA)

Mental Illness Fellowship of WA (MIFWA) is an independent community based mental health organisation with 30 years’ experience supporting people with a lived experience of mental illness, their families, and carers across Western Australia.

Funds received via the Community Wellbeing Grants will be used by MIFWA to provide a program to help combat loneliness and lack of self-esteem and aims to increase individuals’ sense of Connectedness, Hope, Identity, Meaning, and Empowerment (CHIME).

WA Assistance and Therapy Dogs (WAAT Dogs)

WAAT Dogs is a not-for-profit organisation providing empowerment, support, training and advice for those requiring assistance dogs and therapy dogs in Western Australia. WAAT Dogs have skilled teams of dog trainers who have also received training to work with individuals with disabilities.

Funds received via the Community Wellbeing Grants will be used by WAAT Dogs to run a series of workshops designed to increase awareness amongst the public including individuals with disabilities, their families and supports as to the type of services that assistance dogs can provide, the process of training, and the options for assistance dogs and therapy dogs. 

Camp Autism WA

Camp Autism WA is a not-for-profit organisation that provides the opportunity for families with a child or children on the autism spectrum to attend weekend camps and day events in a non-judgmental environment with other family members welcome to attend. Activities organised are designed to encourage social interaction, exploration of the senses, enhance skills and facilitate connections with families in similar situations.

Funds received via the Community Wellbeing Grants will be used to assist in meeting the costs of a camp in the Swan Valley for families wishing to stay close to the metropolitan area.

Cycling Without Age Perth - Cycling Without Age

Cycling Without Age Australia Perth connects community members by providing free trishaw rides in various locations around Perth (and nationally) for those unable to ride themselves on purpose built E-assist trishaws. Volunteers 'pilot' up to two passengers at a time, either older persons or people with a disability and their carers.

Funds received via the Community Wellbeing Grants will be used to assist in meeting the costs of funding trishaw rides in the Woodbridge area.

St Marks Anglican Church Bassendean – Youth Group 

The youth group at St Marks Church in Bassendean is open to children aged nine to fourteen years of age with many members not belonging to the church itself. Attendees include at-risk young people. The group provides a meal, fun, games; and caring, child safe adult mentors. 

Funds received via the Community Wellbeing Grants will be used to assist in meeting the costs of a purchasing equipment to add to the range of activities the group can offer. 

Ambulance Wish WA

Ambulance Wish Western Australia’s mission is to give people in end-of-life care the support, specialist transport and medical care they need to fulfil their final wishes. The service enables people receiving palliative care or who are terminally ill to fulfil a final wish to reconnect with their community by visiting a place of personal significance. For example, to admire their own garden, to feel the breeze of the ocean, or to be surrounded by their loved ones and pets.

Funds received via the Community Wellbeing Grants will be used to assist in meeting the costs of a purchasing equipment to increase awareness of the Final Wish program in the Midland region through face-to-face presentations, print and social media, both to the community and to health care professionals in the palliative/ primary care space. The aim is to increase the number of final wishes fulfilled for terminally ill people in Midland and surrounding areas.