Annual Impact Report 2023

A message from our CEO

As I reflect on 2023, I am immensely proud of a year that exemplified the foresight of our growth strategy and the determination of our people to achieve critical outcomes for our support of families and hospital partners Perth Children’s Hospital and King Edward Memorial Hospital.

Our strategic investment to pilot temporary supported accommodation at St Catherine’s Residential College, was pivotal in 2023. It sustained and marginally increased capacity and, further engaged Government’s support to progress with a case to fund permanent expansion of RMH at QEII.

Expansion of the Ronald McDonald Learning Program and Ronald McDonald Family Retreats were equally a highlight of our achievements in 2023. This growth together with an increase in our supported accommodation are central to achieving Mission outcomes in family wellbeing.

Our robust governance and financial management together with holistic, integrated fundraising engagement strategies underpinned our capability to sustain and grow our revenue in a challenging economic environment.

My sincerest thanks to all members of the RMHC WA Board, staff and volunteers. Your time and valued support in 2023 enabled the organisation’s continued growth and success in an extraordinary year of being there for West Australian families with ill or injured children when they need it most.

Peter King ASM

Chief Executive Officer

A message from our Patron

In my 24 years as Patron, I have had the privilege to be part of RMHC WA’s extraordinary story. From its humble beginnings to its extensive support of families in Perth and throughout the state, RMHC WA today is an essential Western Australia service that connects us all in the spirit of community.

This past year, we have witnessed the incredible resilience of our families as they navigated challenging times. Cost of living pressures added to the difficulties for our families and the wider giving community. Despite the challenges, we were humbled by the generosity of West Australians, particularly in regional communities, who dug deep to continue their support.

I want to extend my sincerest gratitude for the continued support and friendship of our Mission partner McDonald’s and supporting partners from industries and business, small and large, across the state. Your genuine commitment to the wellbeing of WA families with ill or injured children is admirable.

The continued growth and success of our valued service is deeply rooted in the unwavering determination, professionalism and energy of all RMHC WA people. To the RMHC WA Board, CEO Peter King, staff and our 400 plus Blue Army of volunteers – thank you. I am deeply proud of your achievements in 2023 and for the foundations you forged for the future.

Adam Gilchrist AM

Patron

A message from our Chairperson

In this my first Annual Impact Report message, I reflect on a year that exemplified the professionalism, ingenuity and passion of RMHC WA’s Board, management, staff and volunteers.

In 2023 a scale of effort was undertaken to achieve critical outcomes for our organisation and the families we serve. With our 2020-25 Strategy at its halfway mark, the imperative to expand the capacity of our core services remained central to our focus and drive.

We successfully secured funding from the State Government and the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation to support the opening of an additional Ronald McDonald House, scheduled to open 2024. This investment was a historic milestone that signalled the realisation of our growth strategy towards an expansion of RMH at QEII by 2028.

RMHC WA hosted RMHC Global and APMEA Chapter leaders. The opportunity enabled RMHC WA to impart its strategic prowess, and leadership in impact evaluation, contributing to the development of Global’s Impact Strategy Framework 2025-27.

I am extremely proud of RMHC WA’s unwavering commitment to its exceptional support of families throughout the year. Our annual impact evaluation has once again highlighted how essential our people, environments and services are for family wellbeing.

On behalf of the RMHC WA Board, I sincerely thank and congratulate the Executive Management Team, staff and volunteers for their contribution to the organisation’s continued success.

Ante Golem

Chairperson

Houses

Each year more families from across the state reach out to RMHC WA for supported accommodation and services. This continued increase in demand for our support has grown beyond our capacity. In 2023 the State Government announced a contribution of $9.6m over 4 years to help provide a temporary solution to accommodate more families with ill or injured children who rely on our essential service. Learn more about this contribution here.

Play and learning programs

RMHC WA delivers a suite of play and learning programs across RMH at QEII and Perth Children’s Hospital. 2023 saw record numbers visit the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at Perth Children’s Hospital, the introduction of the Magic Coat Program in the Bass Family Foundation Learning Centre and commencement of Little Ones Playgroup at RMH at QEII. Our continued commitment to inclusion shone through, bringing more cultural, age and ability based play and learning experiences to our spaces.

Learning

The Ronald McDonald Learning Program (RMLP) aims to bridge the gap for school aged students whose education is disrupted due to illness or injury. In 2023 the program provided 4 290 hours of fee-free tutoring hours to 290 students. Find out how through RMHC WA’s continuum of care Patrick returned to the classroom with the help of RMLP tutor Christine here.

Family retreats

2023 saw the opening of RMHC WA’s 3rd Ronald McDonald Family Retreat in Mandurah. This fee-free program, provides families with ill or injured children the opportunity to take a step back and enjoy time together. Read more about the important role this program plays in positively impacting the overall wellbeing of WA families here.

Our RMHC WA Impact Framework  provides crucial data and insights  to improve, create and  collaborate for positive change in the lives of the families we support.

RMHC WA plays a unique role in enabling, facilitating, and supporting family-centered care within the Western Australian maternity, child and adolescent health systems, working together with Perth Children’s Hospital and King Edward Memorial Hospital supporting family wellbeing.

positive change in emotional wellbeing

Had we not stayed at RMHC WA, our emotional wellbeing would have been poor.

positive change in financial wellbeing

Had we not stayed at RMHC WA, our financial wellbeing would have been difficult to manage.

negative change in physical environment wellbeing

If we had not been able to access RMHC WA’s support, our home environment wellbeing would have been stressful.

positive change in cultural wellbeing

Had we not stayed at RMHC WA, our cultural wellbeing would have been moderate.