Person & Family Centred Care Passion Projects

Where lived experience meets leadership

Codesign Passion Projects bring consumers, families and staff together to focus on what matters most. By working in partnership, these projects drive meaningful change through shared purpose, creativity and mutual respect.

About the Program

The Women’s & Children’s Health Network (WCHN) is committed to delivering Person and Family Centred Care across all services.

Since adopting this approach, WCHN has embedded a charter that guides how care is delivered every day. This commitment ensures that patients, families and carers are not just recipients of care—but active partners in it.

Our Commitment

We aim to:

  • Treat every person and family with dignity and respect

  • Communicate openly and clearly

  • Involve consumers in decision-making

  • Lead with kindness and compassion

Why It Matters

Person and Family Centred Care is a globally recognised, evidence-based approach that:

  • Improves patient and family experiences

  • Strengthens clinical outcomes

  • Supports staff engagement and retention

  • Creates more compassionate, human-centred healthcare

Types of Projects We Support

Eligible initiatives include:

  • New communication approaches

  • Workshops, forums or health promotion programs

  • Pilot programs or therapeutic innovations

  • Consumer-led service or environment redesign

  • Facility or equipment improvements driven by consumer input

Not eligible:

  • Projects without consumer involvement

  • Research-only initiatives

  • Pre-determined or non–Person and Family Centred Care activities

Who Can Apply?

Applications are open to:

  • WCHN staff

  • WCHN teams working in partnership with consumers

If you’re passionate about improving care and working in partnership with consumers, we encourage you to apply.

Together, we can create better experiences for patients, families and staff—one project at a time.

Support & Guidance

The Consumer and Community Engagement Unit works alongside project teams to:

  • Provide guidance and support

  • Ensure alignment with frameworks and policies

Promote meaningful consumer participation

What Are Passion Projects?

Passion Projects are funded, solution-focused initiatives designed to improve care experiences across the network.

Each year, successful projects can receive up to $10,000 to address gaps and enhance Person and Family Centred Care.

Projects must:

  • Be co-designed with consumers

  • Deliver tangible, innovative outcomes

  • Be completed within 12 months

  • Partner with the Consumer and Community Engagement Unit

Our Partners

Friends of the Women’s & Children’s Hospital

The Passion Projects program is proudly supported by the Friends of the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Inc., a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving patient care through fundraising and volunteer support.

For over 30 years, the Friends have funded equipment, enhanced facilities, and supported initiatives that make a real difference to patients and families across South Australia.

Their support enables funding for Passion Projects—helping bring innovative, community-driven ideas to life.