Stand with Shona – and with
the children, young people and
families we support every day
Every day at Parkerville Children and Youth Care, we have the privilege of meeting children and young people who show extraordinary courage. Not always in big, visible ways. Often, it’s quiet courage, the kind it takes to walk through a door, to sit with someone new, or to find the words to share something that has been held inside for a long time.
Shona is one of those young people.
When her mum brought her to The Kids Hub, a walk-in service for children up to 12 years old, with no referrals required, she didn’t arrive with a clear explanation of what was wrong. What she brought was something we see often – a sense that something had changed, and a young person who needed support. At Parkerville, that’s enough.
Because we know when a child feels safe, and when they are met with patience, care and respect, they will begin to share what they need to, in their own time, and in their own way. For Shona, that moment came after trust had been carefully built.
What followed was not just a conversation, but the beginning of a coordinated response that focused on Shona’s safety, supported her parents, and ensured she was not left to navigate any part of this alone. This is what your support makes possible every day at Parkerville.
It allows us to provide a place where children and families can walk in without barriers. It ensures there is a skilled, compassionate team ready to respond when a young person finds the courage to speak. And it means we can continue to walk alongside the whole family, through the long and often complex journey of healing.
Because when a child speaks up, it affects everyone around them. Parents need guidance, reassurance, and practical support. Families need help to stay connected, to understand what comes next, and to keep moving forward together.
We call this wraparound care. It means children and families don’t have to start again somewhere new when things become complex. They are supported by one organisation, in one place, for as long as it takes.
Shona’s story
Shona was nine when her family moved from country WA to Perth for her dad’s new job. Like many families making that move, it wasn’t simple. Rental inspections were crowded, options were limited, and finding something that suited their needs and their budget proved difficult.
They felt relieved when a family friend offered them a solution. A newly built two-bedroom unit on their property. It meant stability. A place to settle. A place to call home.
At first, things seemed to fall into place. Shona settled into her new school, made friends, and began to find her rhythm in a new city. But then, something shifted.
It wasn’t all at once. It was gradual. A bit of anxiety. Trouble sleeping. Spending more and more time alone in her bedroom. The kind of things many families might put down to a big move or the ups and downs of growing up.
But it didn’t pass. By the time Shona’s 11th birthday came around, her mum knew there was more going on than just settling into a new place. And when you have that feeling as a parent, you trust it, so she brought Shona to The Kids Hub at Parkerville.
There was no appointment needed. No complicated process. Just a safe, welcoming place where young people and families can walk in and begin wherever they are.
At first, Shona said very little. The Parkerville team didn’t rush her. They spent time building trust, allowing her to move at her own pace, noticing when she needed space and when she was ready to engage.
Then one day, Shona found the courage to speak about what she had been carrying on her own for nearly two years. She shared that she had been harmed by the very person who had offered Shona and her family a place to live.
Shona had stayed silent because she was afraid she would not be believed. But more than that, she was worried about what speaking up might mean for her family, that they might lose their home. It was at Parkerville that she finally felt safe enough to speak.
The Parkerville worker stayed calm, keeping her focus on Shona and making sure she felt supported as she shared something so difficult. Then, when Shona was comfortable, the worker stepped out to speak with Shona’s mum, who was in the waiting room, and brought her into a private space to gently share what her daughter had said.
Shona’s dad arrived shortly after. Together, they sat with Shona, holding her and reassuring her they believed her. From that moment, Shona wasn’t the only one being supported. Her parents were guided through what came next, helping them understand what had happened, what needed to happen, and how to keep showing up for their daughter. A team worked alongside them, making sure Shona was safe and that her family had the support they needed at every step.
From there, Shona and her family were connected into Parkerville’s specialist child sexual abuse support and counselling service, while continuing to receive support through The Kids Hub. This wraparound approach ensured a seamless experience, without the need to repeat their story.
Shona continued counselling with a Parkerville therapist through our specialist child sexual abuse counselling service, while remaining connected to the broader supports available across Parkerville. That support continues. Because healing doesn’t happen all at once. It happens over time, when a young person feels safe, supported, and able to rebuild trust in themselves and the world around them.
Your donation helps children like Shona feel safe, supported and strong
We cannot do this without you. Please make your tax-deductible donation today and help ensure this care is there the moment it’s needed. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Thank you for standing with us, and with the children, young people and families we support every day.
Donate online - Visit our secure donation page at www.parkerville.org.au/tax
Call to donate - Make your donation over the phone, please call (08) 9235 7099 (weekdays, 9am – 5pm).
Parkerville Children and Youth Care’s Commitment to Healing and Growth
Every year, Parkerville Children and Youth Care makes a profound difference in the lives of children, young people, and their families across Western Australia.
Through dedicated programs and wraparound support, we help them navigate complex challenges and provide the care, tools, and guidance they need to thrive.
In the past year alone, we supported 12,715 children and young people, creating opportunities for healing, growth, and brighter futures.
We’ve been doing this since 1903, and we won’t stop until every child in WA grows up safe, heard, and free from harm.