Soaring Towards Zero
Tracks
Cullinan Room: In-Person Only
| Thursday, June 5, 2025 |
| 11:40 AM - 12:10 PM |
Overview
Clare Pearson, Little Wings
Presenter
Ms Clare Pearson
CEO
Little Wings
Soaring Towards Zero
Abstract
Little Wings provides FREE air and ground transport for seriously ill children in regional and remote NSW, ACT and QLD. These children have chronic and serious medical needs, with 53% having some form of cancer, and therefore fly with Little Wings over long periods of time.
Over the years, and particularly amplified during COVID, Little Wings documented an increasing trend whereby, young people utilising our service, and finally in remission and well enough to return to school (an experience and sense of normality craved) was quickly ending in school withdrawal, drop out and great mental distress due to the intense bullying experienced due to physical scars, hair loss, amputations, etc resulting from their condition.
1 in 5 children in Australia experience bullying.
1 in 3 children utilising the Little Wings service experience bullying.
Further, regional locations have limited services available and the stigma around mental health remains a very real barrier t accessing healthcare and support.
The issue of bullying in relation to cancer in particular is an unspoken issue that requires active address. These young people had low resilience reserves, their mental health, and that of their families, was suffering deeply. As a result, Little Wings developed the SOARING TOWARDS ZERO program.
A 10 week program, aligned to the national education curriculum, and delivered as part of the PHEPD classes ti help prepare healthy students in the return of their sick peers.
In turn, we have seen an improvement in mental health of the sick /injured child/young people utilising our services. We have seen greater awareness, confidence and improved language of teachers as they adapt to the needs of the returning students and a more conscious school community.
Little Wings transports children from bush-to-city to access specialists mental health, documenting a 250% increase in mental health needs/diagnosis/intervention-needs in 4-years.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Overview of the Little Wings service, access and eligibility
2. Highlight of the mental health decline linked with serious illness and injury of young people
3. Overview of the SOARING TOWARDS ZERO program
Over the years, and particularly amplified during COVID, Little Wings documented an increasing trend whereby, young people utilising our service, and finally in remission and well enough to return to school (an experience and sense of normality craved) was quickly ending in school withdrawal, drop out and great mental distress due to the intense bullying experienced due to physical scars, hair loss, amputations, etc resulting from their condition.
1 in 5 children in Australia experience bullying.
1 in 3 children utilising the Little Wings service experience bullying.
Further, regional locations have limited services available and the stigma around mental health remains a very real barrier t accessing healthcare and support.
The issue of bullying in relation to cancer in particular is an unspoken issue that requires active address. These young people had low resilience reserves, their mental health, and that of their families, was suffering deeply. As a result, Little Wings developed the SOARING TOWARDS ZERO program.
A 10 week program, aligned to the national education curriculum, and delivered as part of the PHEPD classes ti help prepare healthy students in the return of their sick peers.
In turn, we have seen an improvement in mental health of the sick /injured child/young people utilising our services. We have seen greater awareness, confidence and improved language of teachers as they adapt to the needs of the returning students and a more conscious school community.
Little Wings transports children from bush-to-city to access specialists mental health, documenting a 250% increase in mental health needs/diagnosis/intervention-needs in 4-years.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Overview of the Little Wings service, access and eligibility
2. Highlight of the mental health decline linked with serious illness and injury of young people
3. Overview of the SOARING TOWARDS ZERO program
Biography
Clare is the CEO at Little Wings, commencing her tenure in 2019. She has fulfilled roles as CEO in the anti-human trafficking and dis-ability industries.
Clare is a qualified psychologist, specialising in child and adolescent welfare, and is passionate about working in community-based projects.
Clare authored a book titled, Threads of Hope, with the goal of celebrating the lives of human trafficking survivors.
Clare is a strong believer in the power of people, whereby a united effort can affect meaningful and significant change on a local and global level.
