50th Episode: Giving Kids the Chance to Thrive - Inside Variety Victoria

Yeah.

Well, it sounds like you're very flexible, which I think is also incredibly important with an organisation these days and when the world is changing so rapidly.

And I imagine that... affects the children that you're supporting.

I was wondering what are some of the challenges that you're seeing these days that come up regularly for children and families?

Well, I guess one of the biggest current challenge at the moment is financial.

So the costs of living has significantly increased and for a family already managing additional costs associated with disability, illness or disadvantage, there can be very little flexibility left.

So what are we seeing at the moment is this increasing demand for support as families are facing the financial pressure.

So we see families making difficult decision about what they can afford and what they have to postpone.

So for instance, when a child needs specialized equipment, assistive technology or medical support, this cost can be substantial as well.

And not to forget, there's also the emotional and administrative load.

For families, often they are navigating health system, disability services, education system, funding processes at the same time as also caring for the child and also managing everyday family life.

So what we want variety to be is one place where a family can feel listened and where they know they can turn to for support for their child's needs.

So to give you an example, in financial year 2025, Variety in Victoria granted more than $2.13 million and impacted 22,547 children across the state.

So it gives you the breadth of the need and also how there has been the community response behind it as well.