One of our long-standing community partnerships in WA is with Ronald McDonald House Charities Western Australia (RMHC WA).
Santos makes a meaningful contribution to RMHC WA by supporting the Ground Floor Family Room (operated by RMHC WA) in Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH), and Kulunga Moort Mia (Noongar for “Children’s Family Place”), an adjacent culturally sensitive space designed for families to rest or meet together.
These facilities provide support and respite to all families visiting the hospital, including a significant number of families from regional and remote WA. In 2023, nearly 40,000 family members will use these spaces, a number which continues to grow each year.
For some families, it’s a quick visit to the hospital for an outpatient appointment and visiting the Ground Floor Family Room takes a little of the stress out of things – a cuppa for parents/carers and a play or some downtime with a book for little ones.
For other families with children that need multiple visits or long-term hospital stays, the Ground Floor Family Room provides much welcome support during some very difficult times. Volunteers are there to talk to and comfort family members, and in some cases connect them with other support services.
“I sat with a mother whose 7-year-old boy was undergoing open heart surgery, and another mother whose sister had passed away and she just adopted her sister’s four children. People share their inspiring stories, and I am there to listen,” – RMHC volunteer.
Next door is Kulunga Moort Mia (Noongar for “Children’s Family Place”), a supportive space for Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander families.
This space was developed in consultation with the Child and Adolescent Health Service and Aboriginal Health Leadership and Advisory Committee, to ensure that families are supported in a way that is culturally appropriate and welcoming. Families can meet with Aboriginal Liaison Officers and health services, and participate in activities lead by First Nations artists, authors and community groups.
As the demand for these services continues to grow, so too does the number of volunteers that help make it all possible. In 2023, the RMHC WA volunteer workforce grew to over 400 people. On top of this, around 100 Santos employees volunteered to prepare and cook meals for the families staying at RMHC WA’s supported accommodations.
We’re proud to be contributing to such a meaningful service for WA children and their families.
