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Scholarship program to support at-risk children

Western Australian children with developmental challenges will be supported to reach their full potential through the introduction of Mineral Resources Early Intervention Scholarships.

Early Intervention Scholarships

Image: Children participating in TSH’s Talkabout 4 Program at Wembley. Credit Pia Barrera.

A proud new partnership between Mineral Resources (MinRes) and Telethon Speech & Hearing (TSH) will offer 10 children in the south metropolitan region the opportunity to benefit from a developmental support program co-designed by TSH professionals and John Wollaston Anglican Community School (JWACS) educators.

As a WA-based not-for-profit organisation, registered charity and an independent school, TSH provides quality diagnostic, therapy and support services for children with hearing loss, speech and language delays.

Mineral Resources Early Intervention Scholarships will allow local at-risk children and their families to participate in TSH’s specialised programs delivered at JWACS and include:

  1. Specialist support for kindergarten students who aren’t meeting age-appropriate developmental milestones in their speech or language development
  2. Teacher access to a suite of educational resources further building their capacity and knowledge on early identification and in-class therapy techniques
  3. Parent access to TSH’s capacity-building workshops and a supportive, parent-based network

MinRes Executive General Manager – Development, Joshua Thurlow, said Mineral Resources Early Intervention Scholarships align with the company’s proud history supporting positive health outcomes for local children.

“As a WA company employing nearly 5,000 people, MinRes is delighted to get behind efforts to address developmental challenges for children and families in our state,” Joshua said.

“This scholarship initiative means at-risk children in south metropolitan Perth will benefit from world-leading service and support programs delivered in partnership with talented TSH therapists and educators, all located locally at JWACS.”

John Wollaston Anglican Community School Principal, Anne Ford, acknowledged the importance of the Mineral Resources Early Intervention Scholarships to her students.

“I am delighted in the generosity of Mineral Resources who will make it possible for TSH’s successful Talkabout 4 program to be established at JWACS in 2022. In partnership with TSH, our priority will be to provide a nurturing learning environment in which the children can thrive,” Anne said.

Mark Fitzpatrick, CEO at TSH, said scholarships would help TSH continue delivering life-changing developmental outcomes for children who need it most.

“We’re so pleased MinRes is supporting our ongoing efforts to address developmental challenges in children, which is already delivering positive outcomes through programs we deliver in partnership with JWACS, and this program will broaden those outcomes,” Mark said.

“Importantly, Mineral Resources Intervention Scholarships will benefit children who are ineligible for NDIS funding – many of whom would have to wait up to 18 months for speech therapy in the public system.”

MinRes is committed to supporting the communities where it operates, with a focus on initiatives delivering positive outcomes across health and wellbeing, employment and education and community.