Annual Report 2014/15

About Kalparrin
Kalparrin is an Aboriginal word meaning “help
carry the load” and has its origins in the vision
and initiative of clinical psychologist, Margaret
Cole. After observing women in the outpatients’
waiting room who were bringing their children to
Princess Margaret Hospital for therapy, Margaret
recognised the need for emotional and practical
support for mothers who were caring for children
with special needs. From small breakfast support
groups grew women’s’ respite weekends and The
Kalparrin Centre, designed to extend the same
support and shared experience to a broader
group of families.
A steering committee was formed in 1987
which oversaw the development of the
organisation. Parents of Children with
Disabilities (later to change to Parents
of Children with Special Needs) was
officially incorporated in 1989 with
Professor Fiona Stanley as Kalparrin’s
founding patron. With support from
Princess Margaret Hospital and Channel
7 Telethon Trust, Kalparrin was able to
expand its programs and services.
Through diversity of income Kalparrin’s main
services now include:
• The Kalparrin Centre,
The Kalparrin Centre
Kalparrin has a comfortable parent lounge with
tea and coffee making facilities, a television and
toys for children in Princess Margaret Hospital. It
offers respite from the wards, somewhere to sit
during appointments or contact with our Family
Support Officers.
Events and Programs
An extensive family event program for mothers,
fathers, grandparents and siblings of children
with special needs that provides time out from
caring roles, opportunities to link with others in
similar situations as well as education and skills
development designed to build resilience and
capacity within families.
Linkages, Information, Support and
Capacity Building
Kalparrin’s Family Support model is designed to
support day to day working, management and
planning for provision of family support in various
contexts and in a safe environment, providing a
platform for families to interact and learn from
others in a facilitated setting.
• Parents, Grandparents’ and Carers’ support
and events,
• Siblings’ support and events,
• Partners’ support and events,
• Up and Away Days,
• Social media community and advice network,
and;
• Provision of information for accessing other
service providers.
8