KidsXpress

Like many of you, I watched last night’s Four Corners report with a heavy heart. Children's safety has to be a priority!

Congratulations to One Door Mental Health and Central and Eastern Sydney PHN on this incredible announcement! At KidsXpress, we’re proud to be delivering our Expressive Therapy program at the Canterbury Medicare Mental Health Centre, helping support children and families as part of this innovative, person-centred service. We’ve seen first-hand the impact of this collaborative approach over the past year, and we’re excited to see how this funding boost will expand access to life-changing support.

#IWD2025: We’ve celebrated our CEO & Founder Margo Ward on other International Women’s Days, but this year is especially significant as it marks 20 years since she founded KidsXpress. In 2005, Margo set out to change the way we support children impacted by trauma. At the time, she was Head of Play Therapy at Sydney Children’s Hospital, working with children in palliative care. It was there that she was entrusted with a powerful request by one of her young patients - to create a magical place where children could heal through creative expression. That vision became KidsXpress, an organisation that has transformed thousands upon thousands of young lives through innovative, trauma-focused programs. For 20 years, Margo has led KidsXpress with the values of curiosity, creativity, courage, connection, and care. Her leadership is defined by these very principles - curiosity to challenge the status quo, creativity to reimagine mental health care for children, courage to push through barriers, connection to bring people together for a shared purpose, and care for every child who walks through KidsXpress’ doors. She has not only built an organisation that changes lives but has also broken barriers in industries dominated by men, sitting on executive boards in insurance - a field where women’s leadership is still the exception rather than the rule. Today, on International Women’s Day 2025, we honour Margo not just as a leader, but as a changemaker who has dedicated two decades to ensuring every child has the chance to heal, grow, and thrive. Happy IWD, Margo. The world is a better place because of you. #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2025 #Empowerment #KidsXpress #MargoWard #20YearsOfImpact #Curiosity #Creativity #Courage #Connection #Care

With predicted devastation of Cyclone Alfred, for the past two days, we’ve been contacted by parents and teachers seeking guidance on how to help children prepare for & process this latest natural disaster, and we understand why. While a storm like Alfred might pass quickly, the emotional toll on children - whether directly affected or not - can last far longer than the winds and floodwaters. #cyclonealfred #childrensmentalhealth #kidsxpress

"The Senate’s interim report on Australia’s youth justice system highlights a pressing issue: detention is not the answer for vulnerable children."

With Tropical Cyclone Alfred estimated to make landfall off the QLD coast on Friday night or early Saturday, we’ve had a couple of parents ask us how to support their children through this event. Even if children aren’t in the direct path of the cyclone, they may still feel anxious, upset, or worried that it could reach them. For some, news of the cyclone may even bring back difficult memories of past disasters. One way to help children manage their emotions is to tap into their natural coping mechanisms - creativity and play. Give them something to do, whether it’s drawing a weather map, building a “storm shelter” out of pillows and blankets, or acting as a ‘reporter’ documenting the event for children in the future. They can write notes, take photos, or even record their thoughts on what’s happening around them. Having a role to play can give them a sense of control and reduce anxiety. At the same time, don’t dismiss their concerns. Acknowledge their feelings and explain what’s happening in an age-appropriate way - without overwhelming them with unnecessary details. If they ask, describe what might happen next, including how the recovery process works. Preparing them for any changes ahead can make uncertainty feel less scary. For more information, this resource from Healthdirect Australia offers practical ways to reassure and support children before, during, and after a natural disaster: Supporting kids through a natural disaster. For those in the cyclone’s path, we hope you have the support you need in the coming days. And for anyone who has lived through a natural disaster before, know that it’s completely understandable if this brings up difficult feelings. If you or your children need extra reassurance right now, please reach out - to a friend, a neighbour, or a trusted support network. You’re not alone in this. #cyclonealfred #tropicalcyclonealfred #QLD #naturaldisasters #ACEs #communitytrauma #collectivetrauma

Last week, the insurance industry came together to kick off this year’s Touch of Colour fundraiser - an event that has made a profound impact on KidsXpress and the children we support. For more than a decade, GSA Insurance Brokers and the wider industry have rallied behind this event, raising significant funds to ensure children affected by trauma have access to Expressive Therapy. The generosity and commitment of our supporters continue to make a real difference in young lives. A huge thank you to Wotton Kearney for hosting the launch event and to our CEO Margo Ward, GSA CEO James Telford, and KidsXpress Chairman Paul Hines for sharing what this fundraiser means to the children we support. We can’t wait for Friday 2nd May, when the industry comes together once again for a fantastic day of touch footy—all for an incredible cause! #KidsXpress #TouchOfColour #GSAInsuranceBrokers #ExpressiveTherapy #CreativeArtsTherapy #MentalHealthMatters #CorporateGiving #MakingADifference

The Senate’s interim report on Australia’s youth justice system highlights a pressing issue: detention is not the answer for vulnerable children. The report reinforces what research has long shown - early intervention and trauma-informed programs are key to breaking the cycle of disadvantage and justice system involvement. KidsXpress contributed to this inquiry by sharing insights on the power of creative arts therapy as a proven, effective intervention. Through our work, we see firsthand how expressive therapies help children process trauma, regulate emotions, and build resilience - giving them the support they need before they reach crisis point. * The report calls for greater investment in community-led, evidence-based programs - like those we deliver at KidsXpress. * It highlights the need for trauma-informed approaches that address the root causes of youth offending. * It urges a shift towards early intervention strategies that prioritise a child’s well-being over punitive responses. We welcome this national conversation and remain committed to working alongside policymakers, advocates, and communities to ensure all children have access to the support they deserve. Let’s continue the discussion: How can we better support young people before they enter the justice system? #YouthJustice #EarlyIntervention #KidsXpress #TraumaInformedCare #ExpressiveTherapy #SchoolPartnershipProgram #CreativeTherapy #JusticeReform #RaiseTheAge #HelpWayEarlier

National leaders across philanthropy, nonprofit, and government recently came together to mark a decade of generosity from the Packer Family Foundation. Since 2015, the foundation has invested $100 million across 160 organisations, supporting some of the most vulnerable communities in Australia. The event was not just a celebration of the Packer family’s commitment to giving - it was a powerful showcase of philanthropy in action. The impact of their support was evident throughout the day, as charities shared how this funding has transformed lives. KidsXpress was honoured to be part of the event, with our CEO & Founder, Margo Ward, speaking on a panel alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton, discussing the vital role philanthropy plays in shaping a stronger, more equitable Australia. She attended alongside our Co-Founder and Board Chair, Paul Hines, as they reflected on the impact of ten years of giving. To witness the legacy of this generosity firsthand, watch the video played at the luncheon here - it’s a powerful reminder of the difference philanthropy makes. We’re incredibly proud that Margo and KidsXpress were featured in it.

Last Wednesday we had the pleasure of attending Meet the Teacher afternoon at Granville Public School, our newest partner school! It was a great opportunity to introduce ourselves to parents and carers and share more about the KidsXpress School Partnership Program - an embedded, multi-year collaboration where our team of therapists and trauma-informed consultants will work alongside Granville PS staff to support student wellbeing. Through Expressive Therapy, professional development, and whole-school trauma-informed initiatives, we’re committed to further nurturing the school's safe, supportive, and emotionally healthy environment. A huge thank you to the Granville PS community for welcoming us with open arms! #schoolpartnership #childmentalhealth #schoolmentalhealthprograms #kidsxpress #traumainformed #expressivetherapy