Using a comprehensive, community co-designed and family-centred approach, Journey Together combines research, action and advocacy in partnership with communities, families and services. It is intended to create change at the family level and through influencing evidence-based change in policy and service delivery.

The Journey Together Initiative, funded by BHP through Telethon, is a ground-breaking partnership between communities, researchers and services to develop a deep understanding of what’s needed, and what works, to grow strong, healthy kids – and to co-design new solutions.

Journey Together co-lead Glenn Pearson said the establishment of three priority projects delivered on a key undertaking that this Initiative would respond to immediate local need.

“We said at the outset that we wouldn’t wait until the end of the project to start acting on what we learn. The communities and services that we’re partnering with have identified key priorities, and by embedding research into these projects we can have impact and evolve as we go,” Professor Pearson said.

To understand what works for overcoming complex intergenerational poverty and trauma, and so to see change, Journey Together is intended to continue working with families and collecting data for at least a generation; around 20 years, after which the young children in the participating families may have become parents themselves.

• Aboriginal research leadership
• Local Aboriginal cultural guidance
• Focus on the family unit during the early years of child development
• Community-led and co-designed research
• Participatory action research through partnerships and advocacy
• Local Aboriginal employment and capacity building