With one of our core values being supporting the community, the team would love to share with you a local organisation who makes a difference. Kids+ are based in Waurn Ponds (Geelong), and are a group which Davidsons has worked closely with. Read on to learn more about Kids+ and the work they do within the wider community.

Who are KIDS+?

Kids+ is a leading allied health provider supporting children, young people, and their families, who are living with Cerebral Palsy and other similar neurodevelopmental conditions.

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral Palsy:

  • is caused by an injury to the brain that affects the control of muscles for posture, movement, communication, swallowing and other activities impacting on functioning and independence.
  • ranges from mild to severe and people living with it typically experience a combination of the following associated impairments:
  • an intellectual disability
  • unable to walk
  • epilepsy
  • unable to talk
  • a behaviour disorder
  • incontinence
  • unable to swallow and is tube fed
  • is a life-long condition for which there is no cure
  • is the most common physical disability in childhood

There are approximately 34,000 people in Australia living with Cerebral Palsy

How does Kids+ help children and young people with Cerebral Palsy?

Kids+ creates opportunities for children and young people with Cerebral Palsy to increase their participation in everyday life so they may thrive at home, in education, at work and in the community. We do this in four key ways:

+ Therapy (individual and group)

  • Physiotherapy – To improve movement
  • Occupational Therapy – To improve independence 
  • Speech Therapy – To improve communication and swallowing
  • Social Work: To support families increase their wellbeing and resilience

+ Research

We partner with universities and leadresearch that results in practical, daily benefits for children and young people with a range of neurodevelopmental conditions

+ Training

We influence and educate allied health professionals and parents to implement evidence-based best models of practice and support to positively impact children and young people’s lives

+ Community

We advocate in the community to increase awareness and understanding of people living with diverse communication, independence, and mobility

Does Kids+ make a difference to children and young people’s lives?

Yes. Our children and young people’s functional change, independence and goal achievement relating to improved participation in everyday life is tracked and measured by Kids+ therapists. Once goals such as self-feeding, riding a bike or using a communication device are achieved, new goals are set and worked towards through therapeutic intervention. 

Here is what our participants, parents and team have to say:

“We are truly blessed to have a foundation that has all the therapies under one roof, staff who have a true passion for what they do – it is a one in a million place.” Parent

“Although scared, at no stage did we feel alone with the support of the Kids+ therapists.  The experience, knowledge, and dedication of the Kids+ staff is world class.  From our very first appointment, the Kids+ team became part of Mia’s family.” Parent

“Witnessing a young person tell his parents for the first time that he loves them with his new communication device, or seeing a young person communicating more confidently than they have before are what comes to mind when I reflect on my work as a speech pathologist at Kids+. I get to be a part of our young people and their family’s special moments; to play a role in informing and influencing a young person’s social world, to change attitudes so that those around them can presume in their potential; to share these experiences and support our participants to achieve their goals and live a more self-determined life is an overwhelming privilege.” Team member

Does the community have a role in improving lives?

Yes. Community support is invaluable in helping Kids+ provide more opportunities for the children and young people we work with. Community support enables us to:

  • Deliver specialised programs to improve outcomes, participation and communication: BabySMART, Sport and Recreation, Hanen and AAConnect
  • be at the forefront of service delivery, utilising the latest technological and equipment advances
  • provide sport and recreational activities, be they at the beach, the snow or the park
  • offer education scholarships supporting young people with disabilities to pursue an allied health related career
  • cover funding gaps to provide the required level of support for the required duration

How can I support Kids+ to help children and young people with Cerebral Palsy?

You can share our vision of a world with more possibilities in several ways by:

  • Making a tax-deductible donation via our website – Donations of $2 or more are fully tax deductible. Kids+ donations go towards improving participation and independence in such areas as sport, recreation, education and communication
  • $5,000 enables 5 young people ($1,000 one young person) with a neuro-physical disability to participate in a supported ski trip to the Victorian snow fields
  • $5,000 buys one running frame (equipment) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIWMgGHxaok
  • $2,500 X 4 years awards one young adult with a Higher Education Scholarship to pursue a career in allied health
  • $20,000 buys an eye gaze communication device to enable non-verbal children and young people without the use of their hands to communicate
  • Sponsoring a Kids+ Community Event
  • Taking part in our community events such as Kids+ Kites Festival and Surf Coast Trek
  • Hosting a fundraising event
  • Making a bequest

For more information contact Grants & Partnerships Manager Catherine Somerset at catherine.somerset@kidsplus.org.au or on 0417 502 194.

Image provided by Kids+